When I spent a year in Wisconsin in high school, we would go quite often to the great lakes, especially Lake Superior. I was always fascinated by its size, its strength, and its unpredictability. One day I picked up a book about the lake and was amazed by all the ship wrecks that were sunk on its bottom.

I wondered how this could be. I mean it’s not an ocean; it’s just a lake even though a big one. And then I read more about it and found out that it is the weather conditions that make it so dangerous. First of all the weather can change within seconds, surprising the ships and boats that are on the water, and then when the wind picks up, it can change its direction very quickly making the waves to come from all different directions. And combination of these things can make Lake Superior one of the most dangerous waters in the world.

Now of course we’re not here today to talk about the weather conditions in Upper Peninsula. But I wanted us to picture that lake, its strength and danger when the storm hits. Because I believe that our lives are often like that boat on a lake unprepared and surprised by storm and strong wind. And when it hits, it doesn’t hit just from one side, it seems like the wind is all around us and water pours in from all sides. Can we relate?

We can, for the storms are part of our lives. Without them our life wouldn’t be real. Often times Christians have this idea of peaceful, stress free life with Jesus. I’m not sure where that concept comes from, but surly not from the Bible. Jesus was with his disciples on the boat, when the storm struck. His presence did not prevent the storm itself.

In fact, it was Jesus who told his disciples and his followers that they’ll be persecuted, beaten, put to prison and even killed for his name sake. That there will be many obstacles; afflictions and hardships in the lives of those who decide to follow him. This doesn’t sound like smooth sailing to me.

But at the same time, Jesus said: I will be with you through the storms of your life! I will not leave your side! I will never abandon you, but I will give you strength. I will give courage, and I will help you find peace even though everything around you spins out of control.

Jesus says: Do not be afraid but have faith, for I am helping you and nothing in this world can separate you from my presence. (peace)

Now are these words of comfort or another cliché about invisible God trying to help us? These words can truly be the words of comfort and can help us when the storm comes. But what truly makes the difference is whether Jesus is on that boat with us or not. Or I should say, whether we’re on the boat where Jesus is. If you think about it, what do we call this part of the church, the main part where we worship? It’s a sanctuary or a nave. Nave in Latin means ship and Christian church named their gathering place nave because it symbolized the ark, or the ship of salvation, a place where Christ helps us to survive the storms.

But the nave, the church is not just a building. We are the church, the body of our Lord! With Christ in our midst, with his blessings and guidance we create a vessel that can help us to survive the storms. It’s not invisible God, it is real Christ’s presence that we can turn to. It’s real Christ’s presence that gives us comfort, help, encouragement, hug, or a smile… Can you picture it? With the storms surrounding us from all sides, we’re safe, for Christ is our vessel. He is real as he talks to us, as he sits next to us in pew, as he offers us help.

That made all the difference for the disciples. In the time of storm they had someone to turn to, they called on Jesus, and they woke him up, and cried for help! And even though Jesus might have been little bit annoyed with their lack of faith, he was there to calm the sea. He was there to calm their worry, their panic, and their stress. He was there to save their lives! (pause)

Who do we call upon during the storm? Are we trying to battle it out by ourselves? Do we give up without trying? Or do we seek Christ’s presence in his church? (pause) I know many of you go through tough times, many of you are hurting, and many live in uncertainty. You’re asking yourselves what will happen next. Who is there to help? Is God listening to my pleas? Or is he asleep?

No, God is not asleep, he listens! In the second reading Jesus says: At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you. As I have said, Jesus never promised a life without hardships and tribulations, but he promised that all things will work for the good for those who love him, who believe in him, and who find refuge on his vessel.

Do I wish to say, that when God is with us, that there won’t be any problems and hardships. I certainly do. I myself am young, and haven’t overcome many storms. I know that the big storms of my life are yet to come. How will I react? Probably like the disciples in the boat, scared and doubting. I don’t know. This certainly is not an easy topic to talk about.

One thing I pray for is that when the storm comes, I’ll be able to turn to the one and only source of comfort and peace that will never fail me. Jesus Christ, the risen Lord. I pray that when that storm comes you all will be able to find your way to his safety, to his vessel, his church where you’ll be able to give up all your worries and put them completely into his hands. I pray that in the time of storm you’ll be able (by God’s grace) to see the bigger picture of Christ’s vessel, even though shaken by the waves, still floating firm and steady, inviting all who were stricken by the waves to come and find shelter. Inviting all who lost direction to join the coarse that will take us home.

Amen