"Have you no faith?"

Winchester, VA

Last night we had to walk until after dark before we found a place to sleep, a school up on a hill. And this morning, I thought about Heather, trying again to get her visa today (later I found out she was refused again). Though the sunrise was all beauty and peace, I felt burdened by the seeming chaos of life.

This feeling continued as we walked. Then I remembered the children's sermon last Sunday (given by Ann McBroom, who invited us to their home). It was on the story of Jesus sleeping in the storm:

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him.

And a great storm of wind arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care if we perish?" And he awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?"

And they were filled with awe, and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?" (Mk 4.35-41)

Ann compared Jesus to young children, who can also sleep through anything, in any position. She said it was because they are not worrying, because they trust. Just as Jesus trusted his Father, no matter what threatened.

A good message when chaos seems all around.