“Facing the Storms”

When I was a teenager, I took advantage of a beautiful afternoon and went on a walk across a meadow with my girlfriend and dog.  Half way though the walk, a large herd of cows started making their way toward us.  We decided to avoid them by hiking up a small hill.  It was then that we noticed a bull, staring us down as he let out a few grunts and stomped on the ground in front of him.  I held her hand tight and assured her it would be alright.  In a split second the bull charged up that mound.  I immediately let go of the dog’s leash and that young love’s grip as I darted off the mound alone like a whimpering coward.  I was half way across the creek before I realized the dog had diverted the bull’s attention away from us.  I’m not proud for abandoning my girlfriend when she needed me, in fact I am down right ashamed, but fortunately that young girl forgave me and later married me.

We all find ourselves in moments of weakness, where in a split second we manage to do the unthinkable.  On the night that Christ was arrested, beaten and later crucified, Peter found himself doing the unthinkable – he denied knowing Christ three times.  This was uncharacteristic of Peter, who showed his fearlessness time after time by walking on water, standing up against the guards when Jesus was arrested, and facing continual persecution and eventually death as he spread the gospel.  Why in this single moment did he cower like a teenage boy being chased by a bull?

To fully understand, I believe we have to look at the time when Peter stepped out of the boat and into the storm.  Peter was able to miraculously walk on water until he took his eyes off Jesus and started focusing on the storm, and then he sank.  It wasn’t until he grabbed hold of Jesus hand that he came to surface again.

When Peter was in the courtyard, he felt alone and vulnerable because his eyes were on the storm, not on Jesus.  As a result, he caved into the pressure.

I’ve faced many storms in my life.  What enables me to get through them is recognizing I am not alone.  My Savior and His beloved church has always been there for me and helped get me through the personal tragedies, sicknesses, deaths of loved ones, and moments of personal weakness.  My prayer is that you too can remain focused on Jesus.  So when the storms of life come charging like a bull at you, you can hold tight to your Lord’s hand as He sees you through.

If you would like to know more about our congregation or talk with someone, e-mail me at jaybmc11@gmail.com.

God Bless!

Jay Conn