We all live on margins of chaos. Like Noah floating on waters cocooned in his boat, we too create microcosms of order and pray to our Maker for preservation. To dwell on the edge for a while pushing outwards, encountering difference violently rams chaos back into the imagination – shocking, even paralysing the messianic action.
When Peter stepped out of the boat it was two steps beyond the reason of a smart fisherman. It was an illogical step towards a dangerous Jesus who is filling that place with holy otherness & their boat with water. It was also a second step towards encountering Jesus on his terms. In that place a fisherman could walk on water. Yet fear overtook Peter. He ‘noticed the strong wind’ & was overwhelmed by a fisherman’s chaos. Suddenly Peter was the wily fish catcher being swallowed by an angry sea.
Jesus presence out on the lake expands & intensifies in the storm and though this movement is towards the Holy – towards otherness – he is never out of reach. The overwhelming pathos of Jesus is the redressive action that restores equilibrium, brings back peace - calms the storm.
The patience of God & the opportunity of another chance…
How often am I limited by what I believe without question ? When newness & otherness draws near intensifying feeling to fear – I know I don’t step between ! I retreat back into the safety of the known. During those times I am conservative & less perceptive. I hang on tightly to structure & boundaries until I fight chaos back to the margins.
The repeat story of a leaky boat and BIG waters says there is a tension in being a Jesus follower. Beyond Rock and Redeemer - the safe and familiar Jesus is forever restless, intense & dangerously Holy. Sometimes he compels us to experience his Grandeur through all 5 senses with the volume turned right up – like a splinter in the imagination.
Six times this annoying little narrative appears in the gospels. Each time Jesus rises up and the followers of Jesus retreat back. How many times must such story be told ? Seventy times seven ?
Until his followers find the courage to STAY & embrace the messianic action !
Sunday, May 07, 2006
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