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Hi friend,
I write this from my dining room table as another rainstorm sweeps across southern Manitoba. I rushed home from work in a downpour to make sure there was no water in our basement. We’ve had a great deal of rain and flooding this spring, and in previous years water has seeped into our basement through a window. As a result, every heavy rain brings a sense of panic and fear, along with a rush to set up pumps in our window wells.
It reminds me of my time a few weeks ago at our national project in Denare Beach, a town that lost half its homes to the Wolf Wildfire. During my visit, there was a distinct smell of smoke in the air. It turned out there was a forest fire within 50 kilometres of the town, and that smell was deeply triggering for the families I met. It brought back painful memories and emotions, including fear.
We are people of faith who put our trust in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Yet all of us experience situations and circumstances that create fear and distract us from Jesus. Like Peter, who in great faith stepped out of the boat and began walking on the water toward Jesus. But when the stormy winds captured his attention, fear replaced faith and he began to sink. Jesus reached out and caught him in the midst of his fear and doubt. And when they climbed into the boat, the winds settled.
We all live in the tension between faith and fear, but Jesus meets us where we are—in moments of confidence, doubt, or anxiety. He reaches out to us and calms the winds that so often distract us from Him.
When our focus is pulled away from Jesus and we begin to fear and doubt, may we feel the hand of Christ reaching out to us. May we know His presence “in our boat.” And each time He draws us through the storm, may our response be the same as the disciples - “Truly you are the Son of God” (Matthew 14:33).
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