Welcome back to Chiapas, Mexico. We are about halfway through our “Advent Adventure.”
The jungle river that swirled past our camp was a never-ending challenge in our training. We rode in huge 500-1000 pound dug-out canoes through rapids, we bathed at the river, we swam there too. One day, Judy had one foot on land and one in the canoe when the strong current pulled the canoe away from the riverbank. In a matter of moments, Judy was fully suspended above the water’s surface. Splash! One afternoon, our team came to the river only to find that our canoe was tied up on the opposite shore. Another swimmer and I jumped in, clothes and all, and swam across the current to ‘rescue’ the canoe back for the other campers. For us, it was merely one more adventure!
We don’t know if Jesus ever learned to swim, but he did far greater things than crossing a jungle river. In Matthew 14, a great storm rolled across the Sea of Galilee. Waves there could crest as high as 15 feet when shrieking winds whipped across the surface of the water. Add in the pitch darkness of nighttime and we can understand why even professional fishermen like Peter and Andrew were terrified.
But then Jesus appeared walking on the water. He came, not as a hero coming to save his disciples, but as himself, simply out for a stroll. Before rescuing the men in the boat, he called out, “Take courage. It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Trust me, he said, before the waves ceased and before the winds calmed down.
Holidays are not immune to crises. Some people have car accidents while traveling for Christmas. Others end up in emergency rooms. Houses burn down. Loved ones die. What crisis are you facing this season? Let’s remember Jesus’ words: “Take courage. It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Before the crisis is over.
