It is heartbreaking to watch boats sinking, refugees never arriving to live their dreams. Promises made are lost at sea. They have forsaken all, risked their lives, but are guaranteed nothing. Images swirl in our minds and overwhelm our hearts reminding us how fragile life is. We cannot comprehend such desperation, such need, such peril.
In some small way we are all adrift in a sea of humanity. Oftentimes in his writing John Chrysostom speaks of vessels:
"So too we must show our will; for we also sail a voyage, not from land to land, but from earth to heaven... let our vessel be stout, that it not be swamped amidst the reverses and despondencies of this life...If we so order our ship we will draw down to ourselves the Son of God, the True Pilot. who will not leave our bark to be engulfed, but though ten thousand winds may blow, will rebuke the winds and the sea, and instead of raging waves, make a great calm."
Few realize how fragile is the vessel we journey in. My ship is comprised of roles, activities and all that encompasses who I believe I am because of promises made and dreams desired; but this ship capsizes. Children leave, disappoint, distance themselves, rebel, even break our hearts. My ship now lists a little.
Then I consider my other roles: marriage- the vows made and the daily dance of keeping my heart alive amidst the war torn world we live in; friendship- how it ebbs and flows with beautiful beach days with friends and then those same ones moving on while others come alongside, a cry to be known and belong. Now my boat is fairly sinking. I am asked to live, keep loving, keep going when
all is stripped away.
One comes close and whispers in my heart, "Child, I have come, I will right this ship that is you, so that you can bring many to My love and My heart. You cannot capsize now, though the waves of change crash all around, though you struggle against winds and storms, I am near. Do not be afraid."
Has He come close and raised you up?
Medicine from Sacred Writings:
"Wherefore He tabernacled among us, that we might be able with much fearlessness approach Him, to speak to, and to converse with Him...He revealed Himself to all, and all things everywhere exclaimed, that the King of Heaven was come... He filled up what was broken off, banded together its crevices and shaken portions, and raised up again what was entirely fallen down."
John Chrysostom Fourth Century
