In the Thick of It. A Devotion.
In Morning Prayer, two passages of Scripture were pulled together for me that I thought were encouraging, and it made me think of some folks I know. The first was Matthew 14.22-33 . Immediately after Jesus had, from sparse resource, fed 5,000 men plus the women and children so that they “all ate and were satisfied” (20), he sent out his disciples by boat. It was in the thick darkness, the thunderous wind and thrashing waves Jesus came to his disciples, walking on the water. They were terrified by the shock of it all, and instantly thought it was a ghost they were seeing. Jesus then said to them, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (27). After Peter attempts to approach Jesus on the waves, the Lord enters the boat, the wind ceased, and “those in the boat worshipped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God” (33). The second reading was from Psalm 107.23-32 . Here is a description of merchants traveling by sea who enter a horrendous storm that brings them “to their wits...