As I read through the first and Gospel lessons for this Sunday, I saw a common thread between the two of them. Very important characters in each of these stories exhibit the exact same emotion: fear.
In the first lesson, God finds Elijah in a cave. Why is Elijah there? He himself says, "I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away." In other words, "Lord, there are folks looking to kill me. I don’t want to die. I am hiding because I am afraid." Fear leads Elijah to run and hide in a cave.
In the Gospel lesson, Jesus’ closest followers are heading across a lake. They are having a rough go of it because the wind is in their faces. The waves are battering the boat, and the disciples are not in too good of a mood. Early in the morning, as they are struggling to make headway, they see someone or something walking on the water toward them. Fear takes over. They believe it is a ghost. They cry out! Luckily for them, it is not a ghost intent upon sinking them or stealing their souls. It is the Lord, and He eases their minds, but the ordeal is not over.
Peter, perhaps because he’s trying to show he’s braver than the others sitting in that boat says, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."
Jesus says, "Come."
So Peter climbs over the rail, and begins walking on the water! I can only imagine what was going on in his head at that moment. "Holy cow!" he probably thought to himself. "I’m actually doing this. I’m taking steps on water. This shouldn’t be happening. People don’t just walk on water."
And that’s when things turned serious. Peter, in the midst of walking on the water feels the wind. It’s very strong, and fear begins welling up inside him. It paralyzes him, and Peter begins to sink. Fear leads Peter toward certain death.
How many of us at some point and time have found ourselves like Elijah? How many times has fear led us to run and hide, to shut out the world, to seek safety and security above all else? How often have we looked at the economic indicators, the proliferation of weapons, the news stories of crazy people committing violence, the pollution which will destroy our planet and every living thing, the chemicals and cholesterol and saturated fats in our food, and all the other things which threaten our livelihood and well being, and because of their overwhelmingness, we have sought to shut everything out? To hide from it all? To find a place of absolute safety and security so that we no longer have to deal with it all?
Or, how many of us have found ourselves paralyzed with fear? How many of us have found ourselves in a toxic work environment where we are humiliated by bosses or coworkers and the stress is causing us mental, physical, emotional, and relational problems? And yet, we are afraid to do anything because at least we have a paycheck? And how many of us have found ourselves dealing with a major medical situation, either with ourselves or with a family member? The future is uncertain, bills are piling up, things need to be done, but the stress, the anxiety, the unknowing, the fear keeps us from doing anything and everything? And how many of us have been thrust into a conflict between coworkers or friends or family that we had no intention of entering? We see both sides of the issue, and we don’t want to hurt either side by taking sides, and so we are paralyzed wondering just what we should do because we fear that any action will be the wrong action?
Fear drives us to hiding. And fear paralyzes us. Both of these responses are evident in our Bible lessons this morning. Both of these are common to you and to me as we deal with fear, but do you see how God addresses each of these?
First, in our Old Testament lesson, God comes to Elijah. He doesn’t arrive in a great wind, or in an earthquake or in a great fire. God doesn’t arrive in mighty, attention getting ways, but in sheer silence, God comes to Elijah. And God speaks to Elijah. God tells him, "Get out of this cave. I have work for you to do. If you really want to know safety, if you really want to know security, just do what I tell you to do. I’ll take care of the rest." When Elijah wants to hide because of his fear, God comes to him, and kicks him out into the world to do God’s work.
Christ’s response is very different in our Gospel Lesson. Peter is sinking. His fear has paralyzed him. Without assistance, Peter will drown. Peter cries out, "Lord, save me!" And Jesus does just that. Jesus offers Peter His hand, lifts him out of the water, and takes him back to the boat. Jesus takes Peter from his place of fear, and leads him to the safety of the boat. And, for extra added measure, Jesus calms the wind. When Peter is in over his head, Jesus rescues him and leads him to the place he needs to be.
Think about both of those stories and hold them in your heart and mind for a few moments. Think of how God acts in each of these stories and what they tell us in this time and this place. Think of where you are at in the midst of your life and in the midst of your own fears. How do these stories hit you?
Are you like Elijah, seeking safety above all else? Are you worried that all the stuff happening in the world is too overwhelming and that all you want to do is get away? And do you, like Elijah need to seek God in utter silence? Do you need to turn off the television, the computer, your radio or MP3 player? Do you need to ask someone to take care of your children for a few hours or a day to sit in sheer silence to hear God’s call? Is God calling you to set aside your fear because He has a plan and a purpose for you? Is God calling you and saying, "I have work for you to do. Stop hiding. Stop trying to escape reality. Engage it. Cast your fears aside because I am with you."
Or, on this day do you find yourself in over your head? Do you find yourself sinking in the midst of the storms of life? Are the waves crashing? Is the wind blowing? Are you crying out to Jesus, "Lord, save me!"? And are you trusting that He is reaching out His mighty hand to you? Are you trusting that He will put you on solid footing? Are you trusting that He will lead you to the place where you are safe and that you can continue your journey in the sea of life? After all, Jesus didn’t take Peter to the safety and security of land–Jesus took him back to the boat which was still traveling. Yet, that doesn’t negate the fact that Jesus saw Peter through a very difficult situation–and He does the same for you and for me.
As we look at these stories we see that depending upon the particular need, God will either push us out or reel us in. God will let us know if we are seeking too much safety, or if we have wandered too far out and become overwhelmed with the circumstances. We have the assurance that God has been, is and will be with us throughout all of these things. Indeed this is good news for us all.
But, I must ask, is this good news just for those of us who live in a relationship with our Lord? Is this just good news for those who follow Jesus? Or do we believe we have a precious gift that must be shared? How many in the world need to know God meets them in silence and sends them into the world with confidence? How many need to know God rescues them from the wind and waves in life? Are we not called to overcome our fears and share this news with others?
As St. Paul writes in our second lesson, "14But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? 15And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
May you realize this day that God saves us from our fears, and now He sends us out to share this news with others. May your feet be considered beautiful. Amen.
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