Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
TUESDAY, May 18
Matthew 8:18-27. Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm.
When I was called to be rector of a certain parish, I found a congregation split into factions, and parish life that could best be described as "a stormy sea." Several years later, as I left that parish, a very dear lady gave a stained glass window in thanksgiving for my ministry there. She chose as the theme of that beautiful window, "Christ Stilling the Storm."
How appropriate, for the calm that had come to that parish was Jesus' work, not mine. I had simply diverted their attention from their feuds and fusses and focused it on our Savior who says to all such storms, "Hush, be still!"
Those words can ring in any life which is opened to his voice. Lives that are torn apart with anxiety about tomorrow--rat-race lives worn out before their time, due to a frantic chasing after superficial values--and lives that are looking, terrified, into the face of death. All these can know the miracle of calm.
Just listen...and trust...that voice which says with such authority and such love, "Hush! Be still!" Do not wonder what sort of man is this that even the winds and the sea obey him. (1981)
PRAY for the Diocese of Connor (Armagh, Ireland)
Ps 97, 99, [100] * 94, [95]; 1 Samuel 16:1-13a; Ephesians 3:14-21
View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.
A Meditation for Pentecost
New! Forward Day by Day is available on your Kindle or Nook!
Learn more about how you can support the Unapologetically Episcopalian Campaign to transform the church! Forward Movement stands ready -- and you can help. Don't forget to "like" Unapolgetically Episcopalian on Facebook.
Send Us Your Cat or Dog Photos!
Forward Movement is accepting photo submissions for EpiscoCats and EpiscoPups – our 15-month, wall-hanging calendars. If your pet is chosen, you’ll receive a photo credit and 5 complimentary copies of the calendar. Click here for submission guidelines!
Claim Your Free Gift Now! Simply subscribe to our e-news by using the form below. You will then be able to download our "Ten Ways to Pray" ebook!
Be sure to confirm your preferences and check your email after subscribing. The link to your free gift is found in your "Welcome" email.
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Show/hide comments
Show/hide comment form
