The Ocean As A Symbol Of Chaos
Dear Church Family,
It's an El Niño year. We've been hearing about it for weeks, and you've likely seen videos of larger-than-normal waves crashing onto the shore. They've literally reshaped our beachfronts in places, and we’ve seen water break through barriers rushing into homes. For those in boats out on the water, it's been rough. Chaotic, to say the least.
It's no wonder the ancient writers of the Hebrew scriptures saw the waves of the ocean as a symbol of chaos. That's why the first creation story in Genesis begins like this:
When God began to create the heavens and the earth, the earth was complete chaos, and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:1–2, NRSVue)
A wind from God swept over the waters and God began to bring order out of chaos. God saw the creation and called it "good." But notice: God doesn't eliminate the waters. God leaves the oceans in place, knowing that along with their wonderful gifts of food, beauty, and more, a little chaos will come into the world, as well.
I wish we lived in a world without chaos. I'd love for the goodness of creation to bring nothing but joy. But that isn't the world God created, and it's not the world we live in today.
I say this because over the last few weeks I've encountered so many people, myself included, who feel like there's a little too much chaos in their lives: unexpected illnesses and diagnoses, tragic losses, challenging separations, and the list goes on. In our busy, information-overloaded world, even the calm moments can feel chaotic, and we throw up our hands wondering what to do.
Occasionally, a reading appears that seems to be the perfect fit for the day. This week in The Methodist Book of Daily Prayer, the theme is "Calm," and the reading for today was about Jesus calming a storm on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:39). It included this excerpt:
Have you ever spent time contemplating the power of Jesus to bring calm and order to chaos? … the sea was an ancient symbol of chaos, the boat on the water an early symbol for the church. Amid the chaos and storms of life, the body of Christ is a protection, a bulwark, a place of safety… The gift Christ offers the disciples is the calm and assurance that no chaos is powerful enough to engulf us. (p. 315–16)
What stuck with me most is the image of the church as a boat. Jesus is always in the boat with us, but being part of a church family means we were never alone in the boat to begin with. We're in it together.
When life gets chaotic, Jesus helps us walk through it. But he also calls us to be the church so we could be the arms that hold one another when the seas get rough. Being part of a church community means we are surrounded by people who have been through their own chaotic moments and who are willing to walk with us. When we sit in worship on Sunday, I guarantee someone nearby has walked a similar path.
That's why connection matters so much to us at St. Andrew’s: we aren't meant to do life alone. We have connection with Jesus, and connection with each other.
If you're walking through chaotic waters, know that someone can walk with you. Share your prayer concerns with us and let us pray for you. Reach out to us. We have Prayer Shawls that offer a tangible reminder of God's love. We even have a Care Team ministry that reminds people they are not alone. We are in the boat together, with Jesus. And together, we can weather the storms.
With God's love,
Pastor Karl
