The Fourth Week of Easter: From FEAR to TRUST

STEP ONE: BREATHE

Take a deep, cleansing breath. Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body. Exhale and empty yourself into the room. Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.

STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD

“[Jesus] woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm.”
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— Mark 4: 39

A Jesus-Story Retold: After the good news “fear not”

They say that fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Tonight I learned how true that is.

For as nerve-shattering as that storm was, hearing Jesus say, “Be still” and everything was stilI, it changed how I understood everything.

I would have fallen to my knees if I hadn’t already been crouched down, making sure I didn’t fall overboard. I’d known Jesus was special. That he was the Messiah we’d been waiting for, but I hadn’t understood what it meant that he is the Holy One of G-d, the Son. Hadn’t understood at all.

Only G-d has dominion over everything, including the wind, the rain, the storms.

I knew I wasn’t the only one in tongue-tied. It was quieter than when we’re all sleeping, giving how some of them snore loud enough to frighten small children.

When I say I learned the truth of that phrase, about fear and wisdom, I should say more. It’s not fear-fear. It’s not the fear that comes from knowing there are bandits in the area who will cut your throat as not for what coin you might have. It’s not the fear that comes from encountering a drunken Roman soldier and what wild hair they might have.

It’s the awe-fear. That recognition that G-d is G-d of all: of heaven, of earth, of sea, and of the places I can’t even see. It’s the awe-fear of knowing how little I know. It’s the awe-fear of being in the presence of someone that is more than… more than everyone and everything.

It’s the awe-fear that’s making me listen a little more deep when Jesus says stuff. It’s making me not just watch, but try to really see. It’s making me ask questions about things I’d always thought of as unquestionable.

Strangely enough it’s making me less afraid. It’s not that I think everything’s going to be lambs and rainbows from here on out, but somehow I know that Jesus will be with us, storms or stillness.

Like that one psalm of King David’s. The Lord leads me beside still waters. You restore my soul, O Lord, and guide me along right pathways for your name’s sake. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

I won’t say that I never have fear, but it really is different, knowing G-d is with me.

STEP THREE: PRAY

Breton’s Fishermen’s Prayer:

Dear God, be good to me. The sea is so wide and my boat is so small. Amen

Today’s devotion is by Pastor Meredith McGrath