More classic art masterpieces used as illustrations
TL;DR:
This page applies Christ’s message to His disciples on the stormy Sea of Galilee to modern fears—uncertain futures, strained relationships, ridicule, or financial worries—reminding readers that Jesus’ presence dispels anxiety. An “Afterword” emphasizes trusting God’s sovereignty and Christ’s authority over life’s storms. An accompanying acrostic on “COURAGE” reinforces the call to faith and calm confidence in Christ’s nearness.
An op-ed piece written for The ECHO, Southern Nazarene University’s student newspaper
The following article was originally written shortly before the trip it describes.
I’m going to spend much of July in Caracas, Venezuela, doing some seminars for Haitian immigrant church leaders. Because of language barriers (they speak mostly Haitian Creole; the Venezuelans speak only Spanish), the Haitians who’ve sought a better economic life in Venezuela are somewhat isolated. I happen to speak Haitian Creole. So, they’ve invited me down to lead three weeks’ worth of nightly seminars for them.
To brush up on my rusty language skills, I’ve got Haitian Creole New Testament recordings going in my car every time I turn on the key. While I’m brushing up on the language, I’ve also been turning back through some memory pages of the four years we spent in Haiti.
One of my memories is about an encounter in an isolated Haitian valley. As I thought about something a pastor said to me there, I thought about the end of school and the uncertainties that brings to many in our campus community.
Are you worried about some things out there in the future? Are you graduating but still very uncertain about what your next step should be? Are you headed home for the summer into a disastrous family situation? Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by friends or family who sneer at beliefs and convictions you hold dear?
May I give you some good words from two events separated by nearly 2,000 years? The first is a biblical one. During Jesus’ public ministry, His disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee without Him. As they crossed, their boat was buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. They became terrified when they saw something—or someone—moving toward them on the water.
Then the seeming apparition spoke: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
To their relief, they realized that it was Jesus (Mark 6:50). His words assured them of His presence.
The second event came during our four years as missionaries in the Caribbean island nation of Haiti. One day, driving along a dusty dirt road in central Haiti, I encountered my friend Pastor Odius Merzilus. This pastor, with 35 years of ministry experience, was walking up to a mountain village where he was trying to plant a new church.
I stopped, and we talked about the lack of rain. We talked about the malnourished children coming to his school. We talked about the opposition that some of his people were encountering from Vodou practitioners. Then, our talk turned to the Lord and what He was doing in our lives. As we parted that day, Pastor Merzilus’s leathery face crinkled into a grin.
“Pran kouraj” (“Take courage”), he called out as he waved goodbye. Those words reminded me in a special way of the scene on the Sea of Galilee.
In desperate situations, fear can distort what we perceive. But when we look up, our Lord is there. In the anxious moments of life, we need to listen for His voice: “It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
We need not fear even the worst storms of life. We are in the hands of the One who is victorious and sovereign over all.
Are you heading into a summer adventure with Youth in Mission but still lacking much of the financial support you need? Listen to Pastor Merzilus repeat the words of Jesus: “Pran kouraj” (“Take courage”).
This summer, will you encounter a friend or family member who will make fun of your beliefs and lifestyle choices? Listen to Pastor Merzilus repeat the words of Jesus: “Pran kouraj” (“Take courage”).
Are you facing difficult situations at home? Take courage. Listen to Pastor Merzilus repeat the words of Jesus: “Pran kouraj” (“Take courage”).
Are future opportunities not opening up as you had hoped? Listen to Pastor Merzilus repeat the words of Jesus: “Pran kouraj” (“Take courage”).
Are you wondering whether to try to fix a broken relationship? Listen to Pastor Merzilus repeat the words of Jesus: “Pran kouraj” (“Take courage”).
—Howard Culbertson, hculbert@snu.edu
The account in Matthew 14:22–27 of Jesus walking on the water points us toward faith, trust, and divine intervention. That story, including Jesus’ words to His disciples, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid,” challenges us to trust Him even in daunting circumstances. This Bible story assures us of God’s presence and help. It also draws our attention to Jesus’ authority over the natural elements, reinforcing His identity as God incarnate. In short, Matthew 14:22–27 reminds us to trust in God’s sovereignty and rely on our faith in Him rather than succumb to fear and doubt when the storms of life seem overwhelming.
C – Christ is near, even in the storm.
O – Over fear, His presence brings peace.
U – Unshaken, He walks above the waves.
R – Rest in Him, for He calms the chaos.
A – Always faithful, He comes when we call.
G – Grace surrounds us, even when we doubt.
E – Every step toward Him builds trust.
Like acrostics? Here are more of them.
