PASTOR’S CORNER, Bailey Norris, New Beginnings Church, Liberal
The beginning of a new season tends to bring anxiety and nerves. Summer ending and the school year starting can be a time one is either dreading or excited for. New routines for children, students starting new grades and the rush to complete everything in the final moments before the school year starts are all things that can make for a stressful season of life. We can often feel like we are drowning in the waters of the school year.
We can talk heart that all the Lord is calling us to turn our anxious hearts to him. That he is showing up in every situation. In John 6:16-21(NIV), Jesus shows up for the disciples in a way that brings peace to the situation. 16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17 where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18 A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles,[a] they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” 21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.
Seen all throughout the gospels, the disciples were in a fear inducing moment. They were caught in a storm that would have been something that was out of the norm and frightening to them. They would have been several miles out when the storm hit, in a very different type of boat that we would have expected. The panic and dread of what was to come next were likely weighing on them. The fear of drowning, would have been a very real one. But Jesus showed up for them. This miracle of Jesus walking on water shows just how deep the Father’s love for us is.
Sometimes our lives feel like these physical storms. Where the winds of life and chaos of what’s happening around us begin to close in.The storms and the anxiety that we walk through today, may not be a physical storm. It may look like the stress of sending children back to school, returning to work after a season away, or something going on at home. We have the hope that our Savior does not abandon us in our dark and stormy moments but rather walks on water like it is dry land.
No matter the season that you are walking through, submit all your worries, anxieties, and care upon the one who chases you down. The disciples didn’t expect Jesus showing up several miles out in the sea, walking on water. Yet, He was there. Our God, cares for his people. He shows up in the valleys as much as he shows up on the mountains tops.
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV) says this “6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
In this season that seams overwhelming, submit all the cares and worries to the Lord and he will bring peace that is unexplainable.
