Each day we face a world in which numerous trials and tribulations may impede our journey. We are focused and we assure ourselves that everything is ok and that we will travel lightly in our hearts. But as we move down the road, things happen. Our sensibilities are shaken. We can no longer focus on our intended goal. What seemed to be a routine trip has become an excursion into uncharted waters which threatens to drag us down below the tossing waves. How could this have happened? We thought we were travelling safely, but now we are crying out for help.
A church or local community group or family or business decides to make plans for some future activity. It might be adding a new wing on to the church, developing a service project meant to help many persons struggling to survive. It might be trying to help a family member transition into a new phase of their life. It might mean adding a new store across town. In each of those cases, individuals begin with plans and move out in faith, trusting their instincts, or in the case of those of faith trusting in that which brings peace to their souls. Sometimes, something happens, and someone will introduce doubt into the group’s thinking. Suddenly, optimism fades and hands begin to be thrown up into the air in despair.
Individually, we experience pain, loss, trials, and travails which threaten to undo the very fabric of our being. We grab our head and cry out, “Get it over with, let me die!” Any hope that we have seems to be hidden, out of reach. The waters are moving up over our nostrils.
The paragraphs above are not meant to describe someone who has hit rock bottom, but rather each one of us as we live out our daily lives in search of peace, tranquility, food, and a warm bed to sleep in. As a Christian, I try to focus on God and the Way provided to us by Christ. Those of other faiths may rely on other centering points to maintain steadiness in their journey. All of those who recognize something or someone outside of themselves try to focus, try to trust that their faith will see them through whatever they encounter. Things happen though. The person of strongest faith suddenly finds themselves drowning in a sea of despair. Despite their centeredness, they barely remember to refocus on that which brings them solace. But then it happens, our sensibilities are shaken, and we awaken from our stupor and realize that all is not lost. Indeed, we are saved.
I want to share a story from the Gospel of Matthew which is a mainstay for Christians as we try to navigate the tortuous waters of life. For those reading this article who are of some other faith or who do not believe in God or religious practices, I encourage you to pay attention to the story and how it applies to all that I have written up to this point.
In Matthew 14:22-33 Jesus’ disciples are in a boat being driven out to sea by a storm. Jesus has sent them on ahead while he goes up on a mountain to pray and seek solace from a full day of healing the sick and feeding thousands. As his disciples panic, Jesus heeds their cries and goes to them by walking on the water. Despite the fact that the disciples had been with Jesus for some time, they did not recognize him and thought he was a ghost. Peter says to Jesus, “if it is you, command me to come.” So, Peter gets out of the boat and begins to walk on water to go toward Jesus. As he begins to feel the effects of the storm, he loses his focus and begins to sink crying out for Jesus to save him, which Jesus does. Once he is in the boat, and the storm is calmed, the disciples regain their composure (regain their faith) and recognize who he is.
This scripture provides an example for everyone regardless of their faith. When we continue our journey of faith relying on our trust in God, we will be able to weather the storms of life without sinking in the waves. When we center ourselves on our faith, there is very little that can deter us from our goal. When we falter, though, we also understand that we are strengthened by the hand of our Lord reaching out to us to help us regain our focus on the journey before us.