Mothers’ Union Devotion Wednesday 19th May 2021

A gale swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. They went to him and woke him up, shouting, ‘Master, Master, we are perishing!’ And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, ‘Where is your faith?’ Luke 8. 23b-25a

This past year has often felt like being in the middle of a storm where the boat of our lives is in danger of being overwhelmed. We have been hit by wave upon wave bringing potentially new dangers into our lives.  The danger of picking up Covid-19. The danger of other health conditions becoming worse due to the suspension of many other treatment programs. The danger of loss of income for ourselves or our family members. The danger of loneliness and isolation.  The danger to our mental health from the constant assault to our senses and emotions by this strange way we have been living. But we have also had times of relative calm where the waves seem gentler, and we can appreciate the beauty of the landscape even if we are still at sea.

Throughout this time, we have been accompanied by Jesus. It is just that maybe at times he seems to us to be sleeping and unaware of just what danger we are in. We have wanted to wake him up and shout that ‘we are perishing’.  When we bring our worries to Jesus in prayer we realise, however, that he is fully aware of the storm that is assaulting us. Then his presence can bring us a feeling of calm even when the storm still appears to be raging outside.

At the moment we seem to be emerging from the storm and entering into calmer waters. Vaccinations have reached over 2 million people in Wales. Restaurants, museums, community centres are now able to open. There are lots of new employment opportunities being advertised. We can meet with our immediate families in our home bubbles. But we all know that after coming off a boat we continue to feel unsteady as if we were still being rocked by the water. Stepping onto the dry land will make many of us feel cautious and insecure. We need time to get used to the presence of other people in larger numbers. So, we need to remember that Jesus is with us not just in the storm but in the emerging from the storm onto the battered landscape. With us, boosting our faith to face the new and the renewed. With us as we begin to embrace a new sense of calm in our daily lives.

With all my love and prayers for as you emerge from the storm into calmer waters.

Revd Sandra