Whose Hands?

Matthew 14:22-33 
 
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. 25 And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
 
28 Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
 
 

Photo by Jackson David on Unsplash

I have a standard answer for those who think that I can control the weather since I am a pastor and have a “direct line to God” (I don’t have any better connection than you!). My response is always, “I am in sales, not management!”
 
This act of Jesus, on the heals of feeding the multitude with five loaves of bread and two fish, shows that this one is not just a healer, but Jesus has the ability to still the storm. This one who has this power also has the compassion to reach down and pull us up when we are sinking and our faith fails us. This is the one who holds us and promises to never let go.
 

Here is a poem for today.

 

WHOSE HANDS by Kevin Burden, edited by Charlie Woodward
 

A basketball in my hands is worth about $25.

A basketball in LaBron James’ hands is worth about $120 million.

It depends whose hands it’s in.

 

A golf ball in my hand is worth about $1.

A golf ball in Rory McElroy’s hand is worth $5 million.

It depends whose hands it’s in.

 

A tennis racket is useless in my hands.

A tennis racket in Serena Williams’ hands is a Wimbledon Championship.

It depends whose hands it’s in.

 

A rod in my hands will keep away a wild animal.

A rod in Moses’ hands will part the mighty sea.

It depends whose hands it’s in.

 

A sling shot in my hands is a kid’s toy.

A sling shot in David’s hand is a mighty weapon.

It depends whose hands it’s in.

 

Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches.

Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in God’s hands will feed thousands.

It depends whose hands it’s in.

 

Nails in my hands might produce a door stop – and it may take a while for me to get it done.

Nails in Jesus Christ’s hands will produce salvation for the entire world.

It depends whose hands it’s in.

 

As you see now it depends whose hands it’s in.

So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams,

your families and your relationships in God’s hands because …

It depends whose hands it’s in. 

 

Instead of trying to hold on to God, let God hold on to you!

 

Let us pray:

Almighty God, remind me again and again that I am not in charge. Help me to put my trust in you! We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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