Stilling Storms

Jesus got up and ordered the wind and the waves to be quiet. The wind stopped, and everything was calm. – Mark 4:39 (CEV) 

Sitting 680+ feet below sea level, the Sea of Galilee is the lowest freshwater lake on Earth. There are hills surrounding the lake, some as tall as 2,000 feet, which creates a climate clash where the cool, dry air from the heights collides with the warm, humid air near the water. When the two meet, the starkly different temperatures and pressures can suddenly create violent storms on the lake that’s too shallow to absorb the ensuing winds.  

After a long day serving the people, the napping disciples were rudely awakened by the abrupt perfect storm that’d brewed. They sprang into action to right the boat, and, despite their expertise, they were losing the battle against the monstrous waves and ferocious winds. In a panic, they woke Jesus up and he sternly demanded the storm to be still. And just like that, the waters and the winds stopped acting violently. 

As Christ followers, we too face storms: complex, societal storms emerging from systemic injustices and divisive ideologies. Like the disciples on that boat, we must wake up to these realities, recognizing their depths and intricacies. We’ve got to recognize the interconnected factors that brew these perfect storms in our lives. All the -isms. Violence. Inequality. So much more. 

Let’s not remain sleeping with the perfect storms abruptly forming around us. With an active faith and collective effort, we can speak truth to power, take action where we have influence, and call on God’s presence to calm the turbulence around us.  

Prayer
Awaken the Christ within us to collectively command the storms around us to be still. Amen.

About the Author
The Rev. Phiwa Langeni is the Ambassador for Innovation & Engagement of the United Church of Christ. They are also the Founder of Salus Center, the only LGBTQ resource and community center in Lansing, MI.