Pastor Speaks
July 18, 2002

One summer I was sailing in the Chesapeake Bay when a storm was approaching. The sky was growing black and a wall of water could be seen coming toward us. Sailboats in the bay rely on buoys, land masses and other reference points to stay on course. There was no cove in the area so we couldn’t escape the on coming storm. We noted our position then tried our best to stay on course during the deluge. Fortunately, the boat had been recently installed with GPS (Global satellite positioning). We figured out how to operate it and during the storm we knew our exact position every second. It was most comforting since the storm could have easily driven us off course.

Technology has really given us some amazing tools. For example, the internet has opened the pathway to endless resources of information. E-mail has enabled us to communicate from one computer to another. GPS (Global satellite positioning) lets us know our exact position anywhere on the globe. One of my favorites is Doppler Radar. I like the advance warning of approaching storms. You don’t get caught off guard that way.

All of us like to know when a storm is coming. Unfortunately, it is impossible to know just when and where a storm will hit. Summer thunderstorms can be scary but there are other storms that are frightening too. The threat of terrorism has made us all a little more cautious. The sinking stock market, faltering economy, and corporate scandals are clouding the economic horizon. We have other storms too which are more personal, like health problems, relationship problems or just the every day stress of making ends meet.

I appreciate the fact that I can turn on the weather channel and confirm that severe weather is in the area. That is particularly helpful if you have an outing planned in the out of doors. No one likes to be caught off guard. We want to be safe and protected. We want assurance that we can withstand the forces and elements of nature which sometimes bring disastrous results.

In Jesus’ day they didn’t have Doplar radar. They had to rely on experience and common sense. They too were very vulnerable to storms. Consider the time the disciples were out on the Sea of Galilee and got caught in a storm. (see Mark 4:35-41) They had no early warning system. The wind became stronger and water began to pour into the boat. Jesus was sleeping in the bow of the boat so they woke him. Because of their dangerous situation they said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"

When we are caught in a storm we think that God doesn’t care. Jesus was in the boat with the disciples but they accused him of being indifferent. Isn’t that what we do to God when we find ourselves in the midst of a storm? We blame God for the storm and wonder why God doesn’t rescue us.

Obviously God cares since Jesus quieted the storm. "Peace! Be still!" he said, and the storm ceased. Not only did it cease, there was a dead calm. This is a story about the assurance of God. God is always with us, no matter how severe the forces are against us. The story graphically describes a "sinking" situation for the disciples who were afraid of perishing. "A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped." Mark purposely described a situation that was filled with tension, conflict and uncontrollable forces.

As good as our technology may be it can’t detect all the storms we will encounter. This story illustrates the fact that storms are a part of life. Just because Jesus was in the boat with the disciples, didn’t make them immune from turbulent conditions. On the other hand this was good news since Jesus was in the boat giving them assurance. In other words, God was in their boat.

I recall another sailing expedition where we were trying to anchor in a small cove off the Severn River. After three tries we were losing faith and about to try a new location. One of the crew, who was not experienced in sailing, recommended that we throw out another 20 feet of line in order to create a "drag" thereby giving the anchor an opportunity to dig in. It worked, and we were safely anchored. God was with us that evening through a rookie sailor.

When asked to intervene, Jesus accommodated the disciples by bringing calm to a desperate situation. We always want God to intervene when we find ourselves in trouble. But, the disciples did not acknowledge it. Rather than be grateful, rather than humble themselves in the midst of God’s presence, they questioned Jesus’ power. "Who is this?" they said. Jesus, Son of God, savior of the world, the Good Shepherd was in their boat, but they did not know him.

For me, this clearly describes faithlessness. We think that just because we are in the midst of a storm that God is no where to be found. God, however is always with us, intervening, acting on our behalf, but we just don’t see, hear or feel God’s presence. We don’t trust in the presence of God because God acts in ways that are beyond our comprehension. Just as Jesus quieted the storm that day by bringing absolute peace, God can quiet any storm we face and intervene with a power that is simply unexplainable.

"Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?" the scripture reads. Thank God for Doppler Radar. Thank God who helps us through others. Thank God for an everlasting presence who is always with us day and night, in every storm we face. Praise be to an awesome, powerful God who is always in our boat.

Dr.Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio