“You are the salt of the earth.” Mt. 5:13a
“You are the light of the world.” Mt. 5:14a
But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” -Matthew 14:27 (NRSV)
In my late teens, my dad and I navigated our 27-foot trimaran sailboat in the Bahamas from Abaco to Rose Island in the middle of the night.
At 3 a.m. on the ocean, the dark quiet of the world covers everything with a blanket of deep velvet blue that heightens the senses to crystal acuity.
See: the spectacularly minute alteration in the deep purple-blue color of the water and the occasional light of phosphorescence trail in the water.
Hear: the shifting sound of waves slapping the hulls of the boat.
Smell: the change in open ocean air scent to close-to-land aromas.
Taste: the most mundane snack–that is miraculously tasty at the midnight watch.
Touch: the solid craft that surfs the endless ocean—keeping her passengers aloft.
Storms are natural. Storms are part of our human experience—producing real thunder and lightning and rain and waves. And, resulting in emotional and spiritual pressure changes as well.
What is it about a storm that is both spectacular and challenging—even daunting?
It is exciting. Like the end of a race, like anticipating an event, like falling in love, like being free to do something that brings you joy.
It is frightening. Like receiving bad news, like having your trust betrayed, like not being heard, like feeling alone.
But, consider the phosphorescence. This water bioluminescence is simply a process in which energy absorbed by a living organism in marine life is released relatively slowly as an emission—in the form of light.
And, the light of our being will not be extinguished in the storms of life—sometimes, it just feels like it.
The light of the One who walked on water will never go out. And, Christ is here to navigate us through the choppy seas and to keep the beacon burning bright.
And, we can adjust our sails. Christopher Cross sang, “The canvas can do miracles, just you wait and see.” Don’t be afraid to tighten the main, ease it out, or come about (change direction). The light of Christ will never go out, and in the choppiest seas—He will help adjust the mainsheet, keep His hand over ours on the tiller, and navigate us home.
Holy Navigation. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Chapel Hill Youth Virtual Connection Opportunities:
Sunday Worship @ 930 AM & 1100 AM CLICK HERE
Sunday School @ 1100 AM CLICK HERE TO JOIN
D-GROUPS (discipleship mid-week connection)
WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT HOME @ 6P CLICK HERE
**NO WEDS. NIGHT D-GROUPS AUGUST 12**
May the Lord bless you and keep you, May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you, May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. Shalom. -Numbers 6: 24-26
God is Good. All the Time.
Heidi K. Greenwood Doell Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries