“I’ll
never abandon you. I’ll be with you ‘til
the end of time." ~ Matthew 28:20
After 12 years together, Tyler and
Marci decided to tie the knot. The
ceremony was nothing special: no wedding gown, no ring, no cake. No one thought to bring a camera. Their parents were given two hours’ notice to
meet them at the altar. Marci was still amazed
the minister agreed to marry them on such late notice.
They exchanged vows in a chapel decorated with flowers left
over from another couple’s wedding.
Despite its spontaneous nonchalance, they loved each other.
The newlyweds drove to Santa Barbara and borrowed a friend’s
small dingy. They sailed off to enjoy a honeymoon
sunset, even though storm warning flags flew briskly. Tyler knew precious little about sailing, but
how hard could it be?
They made it about 2 miles offshore before ominous clouds,
strengthening winds, and steadily building waves started swamping the
boat. Marci frantically bailed water
with her straw hat. Tyler fired an
outboard engine that proved virtually useless, as the propeller constantly rose
out of the water in the plunging waves.
As the sky continued to darken, Marci feared the worst. The low rumble of thunder broke their
silence.
“Aren’t you afraid?” she asked. “This may be our only day as a married couple!
We can’t make it back to the shore; only
a miracle can save us.”
Tyler, seemingly undaunted by their predicament, thought for
a moment before responding. Then he
pulled a fish scaling knife from its sheath and pointed it towards her.
“Marci, are you afraid of my knife?” he asked.
Incredulously, she snickered. “We’re about to drown. I’m not afraid of you or the knife in your
hands. I know you love me!”
Putting his knife safely back in its case, Tyler answered. “I’ve no fear. God loves me.
This storm’s in His hands!”
Falling to his knees, Tyler raised his face skyward. "Lord.
Like your disciples in that boat long ago, we’re at peril upon an angry
sea. Then you spoke 'Peace, be still'
and all was well. I beg You to speak
those words tonight. Your will be
done."
No sooner was his last word uttered did the boat stop
rolling. The rain turned to a fine
mist. Light appeared on the horizon.
"Oh, glorious God of my fathers, all is well. Thank you!"
Friends, over time I’ve worried about many things – my
health, my future, my finances, what people thought of me. When I couldn't get my mind off of my
problems, I found myself terrified.
But never fear that God doesn't love us or that He won't
come through for us when we need Him. Accept the reality of His love, so that
our fears don’t control us.
Lord of love, we can always trust You to rescue
us. Even when it seems that nothing’s
happening in my life, I know You’re working.
You have a grand plan for me and You’ll present it right on time. Thank
You!
