In the Storm

by Intern Pastor Meggie Bjertness

Immediately [Jesus] made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
~Matt. 14:22-27

You know, I love this story. I am very familiar with it. Perhaps you are too? Jesus’ disciples are out on the Sea of Galilee by night and are caught in the midst of a storm. Jesus has been off praying on his own and comes to his disciples, walking on top of the water.

However, as I read this story again, I noticed something I had never noticed before. Did you notice that the disciples aren’t actually caught in a storm? Feel free to look again. The disciples are not caught in a storm, they just face “a stiff wind.” Not even that, it just says “the wind blew contrary to them!” And we know stiff wind, don’t we? How many days do we step out our doors only to be blown back or almost knocked over because our North Dakota prairie winds are so strong!

Now, there are certainly stories in scripture where Jesus and his disciples are in a storm on the sea at night. And, just like in this story, Jesus offers comfort and peace to the troubled disciples and displays his tremendous power over the weather.

But, this is not a storm. This is just a strong wind.

But you know what? I don’t think it matters.

I don’t think it matters if it’s a strong wind or a storm. I don’t think it matters if our lives are gusty or in a hurricane. What matters about this story is that the disciples have been in a boat all night, fighting the wind, bailing water out of their boat, quite possibly sea sick and ready for bed and in the middle of the turmoil of their lives, Jesus sees his people, comes to them, and offers them peace.

It doesn’t matter if we’re facing “strong winds of opposition” or if we are fighting from the depths of the deadliest gale. Our Lord Jesus sees us, finds us, and comes to us saying, “It is I, don’t be afraid.”

Friends, we are all tired of the wind. Be it figuring out the school year or work schedules, the pandemic, systematic oppression, or any other storm that has beset your life. We are all tired of the wind. But, even in the middle of all that, I hope there have been moments of peace and joy. I hope there have been moments we can look back on and can say with confidence, “Yes, Jesus showed up there.”

We don’t know what the future holds, but we do know who holds the future. May the God of all power come to you today, walking on the water right into the heart of your deepest storm.

Peace,

Intern Pastor Meggie Bjertness

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Daily Devotion | August 13, 2020

In the Storm