Storms rage, and God is here.

MATTHEW 14:22-33

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,  

but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 

But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

Lord,
when we are afraid
we assume the worst.
When the storms threaten to overwhelm us,
we are blinded by our fears;
we cannot see you coming to save us.
We cry out in fear.
We see only imagined ghosts.

Instead you come in ways we can't imagine
walking on water
striding in the midst of the waves
conquering the very thing we fear.

And you speak to us.
You say plainly,
"Take heart, it is I!"
"Have courage, I am here!"
"Fear not!"
"No more being afraid!"

The wave still crash;
the winds still blow.
The storm hasn't changed.
But you are here.
You are with us.
And that only makes all the difference.

So hold us close, O Lord Jesus,
as the storms rage on.
We find comfort just being in your presence.
"Be still, and know that I am God."
Thank you, for being God and for being here.
Amen.