12-17-2023

Good Morning All,

             Luke 8:24; “The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”  He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.”

   It is getting a little hairy right now.  This week, I have a winkel (pastor’s gathering) to lead, two Advent services, a funeral then seven services in about 28 hours next Sunday/Monday.  Add this to regular visitations and the like; I feel like the disciples, “Help, I am going to drown!”

   I don’t say this to look for sympathy; I know that all of you have had similar times in your life, especially this time of year, when it seems like it is all going to come tumbling down.  It seems to come all at once; the job requirements are heavier than usual, the kids are sick, your spouse doesn’t seem to offer much help, then the car won’t start or something like that occurs.  We have all been there.  It just seems to all pile up and come at us at once. 

    Sometimes it might even be worse, health struggles pile upon relational issues with a dash of financial battles.  It can get even the best person down.  Like in our verse, the disciples, for the most part, were all very experienced fishermen; they knew the lake and had probably battled other fierce storms.  Yet this one was different; this one really scared them, and they saw only their impending doom ahead.

   We face the same type of struggles; times when we see no hope.  We look at the situation and the events around us and we feel like we are going to drown.  The doctors can’t figure out why we are sick.  The job seems to never get going properly, the kids or your spouse or your parents just seem to lack any type of support or affection that is helpful.  We are drowning and we can’t seem to stop.

    We need to do what the disciples did; we need to call to Jesus to strengthen our heart, to revive our faith and to encourage our spirit.  No matter how great the problem is, it is not greater than God.  No wave coming at us can ever separate us from God’s love.  There is no task so daunting; there is no trial so great that God will ever walk away from you.  You will never stand alone.  The truth for us is no secret; God’s grace will carry us through.

    That is always the basic truth to hold onto.  Whether you are a young couple just starting out together or you are saying goodbye to a loved one, God’s grace is our rock and our fortress.  It is in his grace that the storms of life may batter us, but they will never destroy us.  God is always there to calm the storms, to lead us through them and to use them to strengthen our faith.  Each trial we pass builds our faith as we experience God’s grace in our life.  Trust in God to deliver from drowning in the battles of life and to give you life, life eternal with him.

Father, in you we have hope; at times it seems like we are drowning in the struggles of this life.  It feels like the cares of this world can be too great.  But we know you are with us and that your loving arm is protecting us.  Defend us from all perils.  Be with those who see no hope; lead them to the knowledge of your tender mercy.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret