Hi everyone,
Happy Father’s Day to all of you who are fathers, those who have fathers, and those that celebrate fathers! It’s a pity that the weather isn’t any better out there, in the Lower Mainland right now it’s raining cats and dogs. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, especially if you like rain. But if you don’t, then it’s pretty bad. I just happen to not like the rain.
It’s funny though, often when I complain about the rain to my friends, I sometimes get the response, “weren’t you born in Vancouver? You should be used to the rain.” And while it’s true, I was born in Vancouver and lived here pretty much all my life, this rain is still heavy and I still don’t like it. Grey clouds and regular amounts of rain I can handle and I guess I’m used to. But this torrential downpour? This is epic to biblical proportions.
Ok, maybe I’m exaggerating a bit. But it’s still heavy out there. And I still don’t like it. And coming from a native Vancouverite? That says something.
Here are the readings for next week:
Job 38:1-11
Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Mark 4:35-41
So the disciples are no stranger to storms. In fact, a good portion of them are fishers by trade, so they’re no stranger to water in general. So when they’re scared of some rain and wind, you know that it’s probably bad.
Job is no stranger to hardship. So when he complains about it, you know it must be bad.
The Corinthian church and the Israelites in general are no stranger to animosity and oppression. So when they need the Apostle Paul to step in to encourage them to step up, you know that they really needed help, really needed some guidance, really need God.
And throughout all these stories, throughout all the storms of life both figurative and literal, we see God present. We see God calming the raging winds, the turbulent waves, the rocking of our lives. We see God alert and ready to act, even when we perceive God to be just sleeping.
The thing is, life can be scary. Things can take an unexpected turn. We might fear the worst even when we are in our own element where we are most comfortable. But God continues to be with us, holding us, and stilling the troubles of our hearts.
That in itself can also be scary, but it also brings us peace knowing that the power that created the universe in ways that we cannot imagine or fathom is on our side…. on our side holding us, caring for us, and loving us with an indescribable love.
Thanks be to God! Have a great (and hopefully dry) week!
Photo by reza shayestehpour on Unsplash