Wednesday, August 25, 2021
Eugène Delacroix: Christ on the Sea of Galilee
A Great Calm
As we move through Jeremiah’s prophecy we may feel as though we are tossed by a violent squall, our little ship of life rolling up and down thundering waves. When we feel swamped, we panic. When lightning flashes, our spirit fades. Looking for a break in the cloud cover or searching for the slightest sign of sunlight from beyond the glowering clouds, we might feel as the apostles did when they called out: Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?
A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up.
Our personal and public lives are jammed with the minutiae of a modern life. Newsfeeds, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, the Blogosphere all fill our waking and sleeping thoughts whether consciously or subconsciously. Friendly resources have become too much information, but turning off the inflow only serves to isolate us. And we are filling up. Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?
We look for a leader who will solve the world’s problems. We look for the seer who might tell us how to maneuver the difficulties we see looming like the giant waves of the storm-tossed sea. We look for the teacher who will show us wisdom.
Jesus rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!”
We look for the pill that will ease our tension. We look for the possession that will fulfill our need. We look for the status that will give us security.
The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”
In struggling with the details we miss the bigger picture. In cutting down the saplings we miss the enormous trees. We upbraid ourselves and others for all that is lacking only to miss all that is there.
They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even the wind and sea obey?”
Let us also be filled with awe at the impossible that God brings into our lives. Let us also be filled with wonder at the mystery and beauty of God’s love. Let us nourish the gift of faith we are given – no matter how small or struggling. When we flounder, let us sing out to the Teacher that we are perishing. When we are full of anxiety or fear, let us be ready to hear God’s word: Quiet! Be still! Why are you terrified? I am the one whom even the wind and the sea obey.
And let us be prepared for the great calm that will always follow the violent squall.
Enter the word storm into the blog search bar and reflect on the times that God has quieted the squalls of our lives.
Images from: http://www.wikiart.org/en/eugene-delacroix/christ-on-the-sea-of-galilee-1854 and http://the3rs.mlblogs.com/tag/dustin-pedroia/
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