Monday, July 7, 2014

John 6:18

Suddenly the water becomes turbulent.  A storm hits the sea-going party; a mighty wind buffets them from all directions. John 6:18 EFP

Suddenly—isn’t that how it happens? Recap: Jesus is not with them. Yes, it’s dark and they are not quite certain how steady their course is.  But these are seasoned fishermen in charge of handling the boat.  Certainly they have navigated these waters many times before.  Then boom—sudden chaos.  The still dark night becomes a raging storm.  Flashing lightning strikes give the struggling navigators the only glimpse into the quickly deteriorating circumstances.  Mighty thunder claps mock their circumstance. Mountainous white-capped waves threaten to envelope them.  A howling wind swirls and slaps them from all sides.  Suddenly.  And Jesus is not there.

I have plenty of experience in this scenario.  Perhaps you do as well.  Oh, I have never been aboard a doomed Galilean fishing boat hanging on to its last vestige of hope drowning under a flood of water from above and from every side.  No.  But I know the feeling of despair from a life suddenly gone awry, swirling out of control and about to sink under the waves of defeat and discouragement.  It’s not a pretty sight.  Oh, did I mention?  Jesus is not there—at least that is what it seems like.  I may struggle to regain control.  I may even summon the strength to stay afloat.  But all I hear is the pounding thud of the deafening thunder of my defeat, sprinkled with enough flashes of light to expose my frightful state.  Where is Jesus when I need him most?  Where is he when I can’t see him?  He is closer than I think….

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