Scriptures: Matthew 7:25 (NLT) – “Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.”

Luke 8:22-24 (NLT) – “One day Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.’  So they got into a boat and started out.  As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap.  But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake.  The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger.  The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, ‘Master, Master, we’re going to drown!’  When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves.  Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm.  Then he asked them, ‘Where is your faith?’” 

Message: I’m not much of a sailor, but I’ve always been fascinated by the sea.  Growing up near the beach and surfing, I gained a bit of knowledge about sailing.  One often overlooked a crucial part of a sailboat, the “fin keel” – a fin-like structure that provides stability through storms.  To me, the fin keel is a lot like faith in Christ; it keeps us grounded and on course during life’s storms.

During my time in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at the University of North Carolina Hospital, I learned this firsthand.  As a chaplain, I was called to support people through trauma and suffering.  Even though I was there to care for others, I found myself deeply shaken at times, worrying about my own loved ones.  Yet, as I leaned more into my faith, I discovered that my trust in God gave me the stability I needed – and Jesus knew a thing or two about storms on the Sea of Galilee (Luke 8:22-24).

In Matthew 7, Jesus speaks of two houses, representing our lives.  One is built on solid rock, the other on sand.  The key phrase is “Though the rain comes in torrents…” not “If the rain comes in torrents…”  Life’s storms are inevitable.  The difference lies in what foundation we build our lives on.  May we all choose to build on the unshakable foundation of Christ.

Prayer: Loving God, as we look forward to the New Year, we know storms will come – both literally and figuratively.  Help us to build our lives on the firm foundation of Christ, trusting in Your strength to carry us through.  Amen.

Pastor Will Kendust

Revised: February 03, 2025

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