Afraid in the Storm

     Many years ago, my husband and I made a journey to Western Ontario for a fishing trip with his father, and mother.  The area was beautiful.  Nothing but tall pine trees and many lakes.  One particular day, we set out to fish on my father-in-law's favorite lake called "Kukukus" (meaning Elephant in the native language) .  From end to end, the lake covered 12
miles hence the name.   My father-in-law had been there so many times he no longer needed a guide from the fishing camp where we were staying.  He could readily navigate and used landmarks (fallen trees, rocks etc.) to get us from the docks out into the lake and back again.

     When we ventured out, the sun had been shining and it looked to be a beautiful day in the Canadian wilderness.  We decided to go out quite a distance into the lake from our docking area, so we stopped at a small island to enjoy some lunch.  The fishing had been good, but we began to observe some clouds starting to roll in around us.  Those that have traveled to Canada know that the weather can change abruptly even if the day begins clear and sunny.  Such was our fate that day.  It began to get darker and darker.  We decided to head back towards the docking area as the rain started to fall.

     Since we were far out, we knew it would take time to get back to safe haven so we had to decide if we wanted to shelter on an island or continue to get back.  Thunder grew louder and lightning was crackling across the sky.  The wind was picking up as was the rain.  My father-in-law kept a steady hand guiding our small fishing boat through the rough waters.  All I could do was pray that we would make it safely.  We had lifejackets in the boat but all of us were dressed for the cool summer weather with rain gear on top of our clothing.  It would be hard to stay afloat if we capsized.  The journey back seemed to take forever and with every crack of lightning we were reminded of the terrible power of storms.  When we pulled into the docking area, we made haste to unload and head for shelter until the worst part was over.  I remember telling my father-in-law who was a seasoned fisherman that I wasn't certain we would make it.  Surprisingly, he replied, "I wasn't certain we would make it either."  Certainly, God was with us in that storm as He is in every storm we face in life.

     In the Gospel of Matthew 8:23-27, we read the story of what happened to the disciples and our Lord as they traveled in a boat on the Sea of Galilee:  "And when He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him.  And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the wave; but He was asleep.  And they went and woke Him, saying 'Save us, Lord; we are perishing'.  And He said to them, 'Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?'  Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.  And the men marveled, saying, 'What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey Him?'"  This picture was not unlike the one we experienced that day on Kukukus Lake.  Frightening storms can come upon us suddenly not just on a lake but also in our lives.  Jesus told His disciples this as He was preparing them for His coming crucifixion (John 16:33):  "I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world."

     There have been many times in my life when I have clung to this verse of assurance from Christ because we are not spared from the hardships of life.  The loss of a loved one, illness, losing a job can come to any believer that lives in this fallen world.  However, Jesus wants us to put our hand in His during those times when we are afraid.  He will walk us through it and give us a peace that this world cannot know or understand.  We need only call upon His name knowing that He has overcome the storms of life and so can we, by His grace.  

     That rough ride through the lightning and pelting rain will forever remain seared in my memory, but I know as surely as I am writing this that it was the Lord that saw us through the storm.  He is faithful when we are afraid.  We must put our trust in Him to see us through the tempests of life.  Selah!

Photo courtesy of Josh Mais photography