Stillness
Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore,
was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them walking on the sea.
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.
“It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear.
At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter said to him in reply,
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.”
--Matthew 14:22-33
I have known this wind and water, seen their workings all my days, from my mother and my father learned their order and their ways, yet you turn the wind from violence. Now you turn the seas to stone. You are turning storm to silence, overturning all I’ve known. Can I trust you in the stillness as the tempest falls apart, though a greater fear now fills me than the longing of my heart? I have never seen this ocean and its whispers never heard where you walk with careless motion as the waves obey your word: If I take the path you’re forging, if I walk on this new sea and I fall where fear is surging, will you turn your back on me? Lord, I long for you to call me but I sink beneath my doubt. All I’ve known is failed and falling: Let me see your hand reach out.
Marvelous, Katie!
This is truly wonderful, thank you.