In the storm
I will set his hand on the sea,
And his right hand on the rivers. Psalm 89:25
Read Acts 27:20—26
This is not the only Bible story about being on a stormy sea. These stories leak into my life. My little church has been storm-tossed. So have I. I barely need to imagine it. And someone else on board seems to be given to me to boost my spirit. Elsewhere it is Jesus who comes to the boat.[1] Here it is Paul who says, ‘Take courage.’ He is the one. Not everyone sees the protective angel. Just one. He is the one who is promised the destination, that God’s purpose will be Paul’s deliverance and ours. So I wriggle towards the one who sees the angel and hears the promise of the Lord. I do that. I stand next to him or her. I need to be strengthened by the faith of others and by their God-given gifts. I need the God-appointed leader. I do.
Loving God, God of the heavens and the earth, my Father, my shelter during the storm, I thank you that you have a plan and a purpose and a destination. I thank you that I am not cast adrift on my own. Thank you that you have placed me in a community of the saints, and that you have appointed leaders and teachers, prophets and people who see visions, those who hear you speak, and those who build my faith. Lead me as you lead my church and its anointed ministers.
[1] Mark 6:47—52