#whereisyourfaith

Where is your faith?

​This past week I received an email from my seminary. The seminary had to make the choice to cancel all in-person classes and events. For those graduating it means no celebration dinner and, unless rescheduled, no ceremony. The undergrad side of the college was given only days to pack up their entire dorm room and move home. In the past few days, we have seen schools, businesses, restaurants, sporting events, concerts, and general living all brought to a halt. The reason is a virus. We are all asked to take precautions to, hopefully, slow the spread of a disease. This virus has caused people to enter a fearful state. They have begun to panic buy essential items. For some, this virus may feel like not much has changed and for others, life has been completely turned upside down. Whether we are fearful of the virus, have had to readjust to a new lifestyle, or are pretending nothing is wrong there is a question we have to ask. Where is our faith? 

​In Luke 8:22-25 there is a story of Jesus and his disciples on a boat. Some of the disciples had been professional fishermen so a boat was nothing new for them. They could handle rough waters, know how to plan for the weather, and find the best spots for fishing. On this trip, they were just planning to go across the lake. While they were on the trip Jesus fell asleep. During his nap, a storm arose on the lake. The wind had come and the boat began to fill with water. These pro fishermen ran to wake Jesus up. They were panicking. In their fear, they began telling Jesus that they were perishing. Jesus woke up spoke to the wind and the waves and the waters were immediately calmed. Jesus looked to his disciples and asked them, “where is your faith?”
 
The disciples had training on the water and they had Jesus on the boat with them and they still were afraid.  We don’t have the training to deal with this virus, but we do know that God is close. In this time of unknowns and fear, we can take comfort knowing that God is in control. Our God is the God of the storm. He is the God of peace and not of fear. When our lives are filled with panic and fear we can lose sight of God. We must choose to have faith in God or trust in our own fear. The question Jesus gave his disciples is the same question we must answer today. Where is your faith?