Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
I woke up this morning with a Jesus story on my mind. Specifically, Matthew 14:22-32.
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it
.
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Through no fault of their own, the disciples are caught in a storm. A storm that fills them with fear, fills them with dread, and leaves them uncertain if they are going to make it.
You may know exactly what they felt like. I know exactly what they felt like. The only difference is what is rocking their boat.
Instead of being tossed around by the wind and waves, we are being tossed around by what seems to be increasingly dire news.
But in the midst of their struggle, in the midst of their fear and confusion, Jesus comes to them. Jesus comes to them because this is who Jesus is, Emmanuel, God with us.
Jesus comes to the disciples and calls Peter to step out on the water. And, Peter does it. Peter walks on water until “he saw the wind.” So long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he was fine. But when he took his eyes off Jesus, when he began to pay attention to the storm, he was filled with fear and began to sink.
In the coming days we can expect to hear increasingly sad and scary news and it will be very easy to let the wind and waves of this storm be the focus of our attention.
And if we do, we can expect to sink.
But, there is another way. It’s a way captured by an old gospel song I’ve found myself humming this morning.
Woke up this mornin’ with my mind stayin’ on Jesus.
Woke up this mornin’ with my mind stayin’ on Jesus.
Woke up this mornin’ with my mind stayin’ on Jesus,
Hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah.
Sisters and brothers by keeping our eyes, and our minds, on Jesus we will weather this storm together. And we may even discover that we’ve been walking on water.
Grace & Peace,
Rev. Donnie Wilkinson
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An Update About Postponed Events
Several people have asked about upcoming events that have been suspended due to COVID-19. In particular, several people have asked about the Garage Sale.
I’ve had conversations with the leaders of this event and we are finalizing new dates both for pick-up/drop-off dates and for the event itself. As soon as these are finalized, I will let you know.
One way you can take advantage of the extra time we all have at home right now is by cleaning out closets and organizing the items you want to donate.
All proceeds from the garage sale will be used to support ministries and missions.
