Luther Seminary

A daily devotion brought to you by the alumni of Luther Seminary

Archives for June 14, 2012

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Mark 4:35-41 (NRSV)

Read Mark 4:35-41 on biblegateway.com

Verse 35On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." Verse 36And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. Verse 37A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. Verse 38But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" Verse 39He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. Verse 40He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" Verse 41And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

Devotion

Answering Christ's call to "go across to the other side," whether crossing to a new job, home, relationship or culture, often results in great turbulence. Our anxiety about the unknown may be palpable and seem intolerable. We may fear being out of control and lost in chaos. We might question if our extreme discomfort is a sign we are going the wrong direction. However, personal comfort is not necessarily an accurate way to discern our call! Surely, the disciples were following Christ's call to cross to the other side, yet they were scared to (or iof) death!

Pursuing new contexts and moving across differences is an enormously frightening voyage. Reconciling broken relationships frequently leads to emotional storms and upheavals. Although we may not clearly see Christ on "the other side," he remains closely with us in our tossing boat. God's presence is eternal. God's love is steadfast. We are never alone.

Prayer

Reconciling God, you call us to reach across cultures, lands and seas to reconcile with all your children. This is hard and frightening work! Guide, protect and help us feel your presence amidst all life's storms. Amen.

Mary Simonson Clark Minneapolis Area Synod Malaria Work Coordinator