Turmoil within

Matthew 14: 22 - 36

....beaten by the waves.....

I heard an interesting twist to this familiar gospel recently. And it does make sense of our human condition. The waves and the rough seas mirror our inner lives that are often in turmoil. Aren't we often faced with turmoil even in the most ordinary of days - for some people - and for all people at certain seasons of life. I keep hearing of friends with health problems these days - not all serious ones, but needing medical attention. They are a little older than me but the 'after- fifty' season is one of different turmoils, one of the most common being health related ones.

Someone once told me that when she read this passage while going through a prolonged illness, she could quite realistically 'feel' in her imagination, the wind and the droplets of spray from the waves hitting her face. The scene of an outer situation represented the turmoil within her.

And where does Jesus appear? He comes walking on the sea towards their boat. The sea is not made calm yet at that point. Jesus does not remove the turmoil but comes to them in the midst of it. Even Peter who gets out of the boat full of impulsive bravado - begins to sink when he loses focus on Jesus and looks at the reality of the turmoil around him. Only by refocusing, by being aware of his real need to focus on his Lord, does he find stability again. And only then do the waves and wind cease.

Turmoil will come, as it does in every life, at different points. May we remember to focus on the Lord, to reach out for his hand, even when the waters have not calmed. For he comes to us, even in the very midst of turmoil. Sometimes that's his first answer to our prayer for help. No solutions yet, only presence. Bless the Lord O my soul!