Fear or Faith? - Luke 8:24-25

Luke 8:24-25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. (NIV)

With the storms of protest rising up all over our nation, most of us wonder when this civil unrest will stop. We pray to God for peace across our land and hope for a lasting settlement of all these important issues, but then someone from either side rekindles the anger and frustration, causing us to go through yet another cycle of division, destruction, and devastation. We may point fingers at all whom we oppose and blame them for this, but only history will honestly reveal the agent-provocateurs who have callously and deliberately inflamed our communities.

When the disciples of Christ got caught in a terrifying storm on Lake Galilee, they thought they were going to die. The crashing of the waves around their small boat filled their hearts with fear and their minds with doom. They all believed they were going to drown, so they pleaded to Jesus - who was asleep at the back of the boat – to do something. What they didn’t see was that  His hands, which were resting on the tiller, were keeping the boat on a true course during the storm. However, in order to diminish their fears and doubts, He stood up, rebuked the elements, and restored calmness to their journey across the lake. Rather than reassure them, however, this primordial raw power of Christ over-awed and, quite possibly, terrified them.

In the midst of all that is troubling us, we cry out for justice and peace, and a halt to all things that stir up trouble by demeaning others, promoting false accusations, and feeding the storm. In the meantime, as we fervently pray, we should ponder this: is Christ sleeping at the tiller holding us on a true course, or have we given way to our fears and doubts? And if we ask God to truly help us, are we prepared for the unleashing of His will and the total transformation of who we all are? So, instead of us asking “Where is God?” will Christ be asking us, “Where is your faith?”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, these are critical times, not just for our nation, but for the whole world. We fear the worst and expect to be overwhelmed by the unrest, division, and hostility among us. Help us to seek You at this moment in Time and follow Your guidance to get us through our present difficulties. In Your Holy Name, we sincerely pray. Amen.

Today’s image is one of John’s drawings depicting the disciples and Jesus during the storm. If you would like to view a larger version, please click here: Boat.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can read all about the church at www.erinpres.org.

Peace devotion - Young Voices

Jeremiah 8:11 They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious.
“Peace, peace,” they say, when there is no peace. (NIV)

            Across the United States today, thousands of High Schoolers are walking out of their classes to collectively express their anger and distress over the recent school shooting in Parkland, Florida. For seventeen minutes, these young people will gather together at flagpoles, outdoor recess areas, and beyond the school gates to display their solidarity against the violence that is sadly too often experienced all over our beautiful nation. Like the Boston Tea Party members before the War of Independence, they are protesting about the current legislation which most people agree needs to be changed but is never truly altered. They are expressing their weariness of politicians at all levels who promise to make much-needed amendments after each mass shooting event, but who never get around to fulfilling their words. The protests, then, are our young peoples’ way of putting our representatives on notice that when their turn comes to be given the right to vote, they will remember this day and recall who actually listened to their voices.

            Today’s passage from Jeremiah deals with a similar time in the life of God’s people. The prophet bewails the fact that injustice and wickedness, corruption and violence are breaking apart the whole community and diminishing the faith of the nation. Fear and greed, dishonesty and coercion have contaminated the courage and strength of God’s people. They are drifting apart from one another and distancing themselves from God. Sadly, they are also being deceived by the authorities who declare that all is well. In response, God speaks through Jeremiah with words that cut through the hypocrisy and hyperbole: ‘They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. “Peace, peace,” they say, when there is no peace.’

            I don’t know what the outcome of today’s protests will be, but I am proud of what our young people are doing and it makes feel better about the future. In my opinion, they are displaying one of the great freedoms that our nation gives to our people: the right to freely assemble and protest. May God bless all of their endeavors.

Point to ponder

How supportive am I of our young people? How am I seeking to give them a better future?

Prayer: Lord God, there were times and moments in our history when Your Spirit moved an entire generation of folks to seek life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. They showed their solidarity and worked for the good of our people. In the midst of these current days, anoint our young people with common ideals and personal commitment that will alter our insufficient ways and change our nation, for the betterment of our society and the rest of the world. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to give some feedback about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s drawings called ‘Peacemakers.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Peace.

Daily Devotional - Reconciliation, Not Retaliation

Isaiah 59:9      So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows. (NIV)

            We all woke up with heavy hearts this morning when news of the sniper killings from Dallas-Fort Worth became apparent. For the past two weeks, a darkness has overshadowed our land and violence is plaguing our people. The tragic deaths of both civilians and police officers is appalling and wicked. We seem to have reached another depth of human despair; we appear to have hit a confusing time of fear and insecurity.

            We can do better than this, but it will take a great deal of effort and energy. We can overcome these deep shadows and find a brightness which will embrace and empower our children. We have to fight against our fears and avoid retaliation. Our response to the injustice must be a search for truth. Our solution to the violence must be found in reconciliation.

            We are different, but those differences need not divide or destroy us. We have common goals and similar dreams for our children. We want our towns and cities, communities and neighborhoods to be places of peace, prosperity, and purpose. We want our schools to be filled with students who seek knowledge to build a better future, a brighter hope, and a peace-loving world.

            As Christian people, we follow a Savior who was both killed by the police authorities and the prejudicial mob. His words on the Cross emphasized the importance of reconciliation: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” If we are ever going to get out of this stagnant pit of evil and violence, then it begins with seeking forgiveness over fear, sincerely addressing racism and prejudice, as well as pursuing reconciliation instead of retaliation.

            May God have mercy on our people and nation.

Questions for personal reflection

How can I be a channel of peace and reconciliation in my home and community? How can my church actively seek and promote the same?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we really don’t know what to pray for at this painful time. We hail You as the Prince of peace and Healer of the world. In the midst of our broken hopes and shattered dreams, show us the path toward reconciliation and love. In Your Holy Name, we plaintively pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask questions or make comments about today’s devotion, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s past drawings called “Face to Face.” It artistically represents the need for real and intimate dialogue between all races. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Face to Face.