Walking on Water: Finding Jesus in Life's Storms - Mark 6:45-52

The disciples found themselves in a familiar place that night—doing exactly what Jesus had told them to do, yet struggling against impossible circumstances. They were rowing hard, the wind fierce against them, making no progress despite their efforts. Sometimes obedience doesn't mean smooth sailing.

In the darkest watch of the night, when they were most exhausted and vulnerable, Jesus came to them. But he didn't come in the way they expected. Walking on the very waters that threatened them, he appeared so differently from what they knew that they mistook him for a ghost. Fear gripped them even tighter.

How often do we find ourselves in similar moments? We're doing what we believe is right, yet the winds are against us. We're tired, afraid, and feeling alone. And when Jesus draws near, we don't recognize him because he comes in unexpected ways—through a stranger's kindness, an unanticipated opportunity, or even through the very struggle we're facing.

"Take heart, it is I; have no fear." These words cut through the disciples' terror. Jesus identified himself, and more importantly, he got into the boat with them. The wind that had fought them for hours ceased immediately. Not because they suddenly became better rowers, not because they figured out the right technique, but because Jesus was present with them.

The passage ends with a sobering note: they were utterly astounded because they hadn't understood about the loaves. They had just witnessed Jesus feed five thousand people with five loaves and two fish, yet when faced with a new challenge, they forgot what they knew about who Jesus was and what he could do.

We do the same. We forget yesterday's miracles when today's storms hit. We let our immediate circumstances cloud our memory of God's faithfulness. The winds feel more real than the presence of Christ.

Today's first reading from 1 John reminds us of a profound truth: "God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him." Perfect love casts out fear. The disciples' fear came from not recognizing Jesus, from thinking they were alone in the storm. But they weren't alone. They never were.

When we remain in love—when we remember that God is with us, when we choose to trust even when we can't see clearly—fear loses its grip. Not because our circumstances change immediately, but because we recognize who is in the boat with us.

The storms will come. The winds will blow against us. We will row hard and make little progress. But Jesus will come to us, perhaps in ways we don't expect, and when we recognize his voice saying "Take heart, it is I," everything changes.

The question isn't whether we'll face storms, but whether we'll recognize Jesus when he shows up in the middle of them. Will we remember the loaves? Will we remember his faithfulness? Will we let him into the boat?

Today, whatever wind is blowing against you, listen for his voice. He's not a ghost. He's not distant. He's present, and he's saying the same thing he said to those exhausted disciples: "Take heart, it is I; have no fear."

The wind will cease when you recognize he's with you.