We have had lots of turbulence of late.
A year of COVID-19 stress has caused tension, worry and grief, and every time we think it is under control, at least here in our patch, it raises its threatening head again. This time it was closer to home, it crept up more suddenly and the action required was more instant.
So we sat in our boats, we held on tight and rode out the storm.
Across the state last week the storms were real and the consequences have been devastating — and some people are still holding on. Having ridden out the actual storm they are still holding on for power; holding on especially desperately in such cold conditions or when their livelihood depends on electricity.
Your storm may have been more personal — a relationship crisis, a job loss, the loss of a loved one.
Whatever the storm, whatever the turbulence, you need a lighthouse.
You may remember the story of Jesus with his apostles in such a storm. They were panicked, they were holding on tight, but the boat was rocking, filling with water. So they called to Jesus. He provided the reassurance, the calm; he brought the turbulence to rest. He reassured them there was no need to worry: with faith they could ride out the storm and get safely home.
We are so often like the apostles — when things are stormy or scary we pray fervently. Then when things turn out okay we can feel guilty, wondering why we only pray when trouble strikes. These times are reminders to us though of God’s constant calming presence. In fostering our prayer life we can sometimes iron out the rough spots even before they occur or it helps us to ride them out with more assurance and confidence in the knowledge there is a light to show the way. With our eye on the lighthouse we can be confident of riding the boat safely to shore.
To quote the popular Australian band The Waifs, "Sometimes I need a lighthouse of my own, it gets so dark I can’t see which way I’m going”.
So in times of struggle and turbulence, but also in times of calm, remember there is a lighthouse man there to guide you, let him “shine his lighthouse light on you”.
Christine Sebire
Pastoral Associate
St Mary’s Parish, Echuca
11°C