Just days ago in late March, a number of us from Belin Memorial took a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, a beautiful sheet of limpid water in a deeply depressed basin, which is located 700 feet below sea level. As we drifted along in one of those precious moments of silence, one passenger finally spoke and read Luke 8:22-25.
These words tell the short story of how a storm suddenly and violently came over the eastern mountains and dropped onto the sea. With Jesus and his disciples in a boat, the storm became surprisingly furious. The disciples experienced incredible fear as Jesus slept. After Jesus woke up, he spoke a calming word.
Do you ever feel as if you are in the middle of a storm? Is there chaos in your life? Do the winds howl and waves toss? Does the very foundation of your life ever shake? Do you yearn for some calming word in your life?
As followers of Jesus Christ, we believe Jesus is always in the boat with us. He promises to never leave us, but there sure are times when it feels as though Jesus is asleep in the boat. Illness, tragedy, adversity, disappointment, chaos, confusion, and change - - - these are all a part of life, but they do cause us to become afraid. At such moments we cry out to him, "Master, don't you care about us?"
After Jesus awoke and calmed the winds and the waves, he scolded his disciples: "Where is your faith?" I'm not suggesting to you by any means that Jesus believed the disciples could calm the winds and waves. Instead, I think, he was simply asking a pertinent question, "Do you really think I was going to let you perish?"
I've lived long enough now to know that sometimes Jesus calms the winds and waves immediately. Then there are times when it seems to take forever for the storm to cease. I do know that when I call out to him, I realize he is right there beside me . . . in the boat. Without a doubt, there is a calmness that comes over me, and I know he will see me through.
I suspect some of you have become tired, even annoyed, with my continuous comments about my impending retirement. It has all been intentional. This church, as most churches do, has some difficulty with transitions. So last August I decided to announce my June 2019 retirement. I remember how challenging things were for me when I came to Belin Memorial, so I wanted you to know early and be reminded often that all this is just a natural part of life.
I find myself with only weeks left to serve as the senior pastor of this great church. As my time approaches its conclusion, I'm wondering more and more what life will be like for Betsy and me, our children, and grandchildren in the weeks and years ahead? I'm trying hard not to be anxious or panic, but I sense the winds and waves are realities in my life.
I also see that some of you are anxious. You wonder about your new senior pastor, Will Malambri? You wonder about your new associate pastor, Isaac Dusenbury? You wonder if Walter Cantwell will be able to help hold it all together? In addition to these thoughts, many of you are wondering about our TRANSFORM project? Is the vision for a new worship center and enlargement of the sanctuary still a strong possibility? I know you are wondering all this because you have heard so little about TRANSFORM in the past few weeks. Let me assure you that MUCH work continues behind the scenes!
During these days of transition, some people are quite nervous. Some may even be scared. Let me be clear: I do think our vision for the future is of God! I do think the future for Belin Memorial is so promising! I do think we should continue to work aggressively toward creating more space on this campus.
Worship in The Sanctuary for this weekend has been most challenging. We are confirming a large number of young people, but in regards to space we are going to be tight at 11 AM. We must NOT give up on the vision!
The Luke account of the storm on the Sea of Galilee speaks a powerful word to you and me, brothers and sisters in Christ. That word is "Don't be afraid. Just keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. He will direct our steps. All things will work together for good."
Recently turning 68 years of age, I have faith that our lives are in the hands of Jesus. I have faith to proclaim that Jesus is always in the ship with us. Most of all, I have faith to strongly announce that he will never abandon any of us.
As I leave you in early June, I want to say these words to you: "Don't be afraid. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. Believe that Belin Memorial's vision is of God. Don't be afraid to take a risk to be the Body of Christ. And give . . . give because you have been blessed . . . and give so that the vision might become reality."
Now my prayer is this: "O Lord, calm the winds and waves for this church during these days of transition. As well, calm the winds and waves in my own life as these days pass so quickly. Amen."
A DAY OF FAITH, FOOD, FAMILY, FUN, AND FELLOWSHIP!
BOI Honored Charity
International Missions Team
Easter Garden Donations
