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By Mike Caton

John 6:18, A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough.

If you know anything about the water, you know it doesn’t take much wind to make things unenjoyable. If you are trying to fish, the wind blows you all around and usually where you don’t want to go. If you are working, the wind and waves make it harder to control the boat and therefore the work is harder. If you are trying to ski, the waves make it harder to get up on the water. If you are just riding, the waves make it so unstable, so bouncy that it is not fun to be out there. So I try to plan my boating around the weather, work on the bad days and fish on the good ones.

The disciples are simply trying to get across the lake. They are doing none of those fun things we mentioned before. They are trying to get from one side to the other. And this terrible squall comes in on them. What rotten luck, what a terrible thing to happen. But wait, didn’t Jesus tell them to go across the lake? They are doing exactly what Jesus said, so why are they still having trouble? The simple, if unsatisfying, answer is we live in a fallen world. Sin has marred everything, and the storms of this life will always come. Whether the storm is weather related, or in a relationship, or a disease, or health related, or whatever, we can know that the simple fact is, we live in a world defaced by sin. That is not to say we don’t often make poor choices that bring trouble into our lives. But that is not the case here.

And we need to remember that obeying Jesus, being faithful and committed to God is not a guarantee of smooth sailing (get it?). In fact, when we are faithful and committed, that is when the devil often attacks us the worst. Christians are not immune to the storms of life. But they know they have an anchor in those storms, our faith in God is what we need to get us through. And we need to remember that anything that happens in this world is temporary, we are living for eternity. And we need to keep our eyes focused on Jesus.

Father, help me weather the storms of life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Mike Caton is the preacher at Mount Olive Church of Christ in Belhaven. He volunteers at the Ponzer Fire Department and works part time with Hyde County EMS. If you would like to receive daily devotions in your inbox, email mikecaton@centurylink.net.

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