Hello TSJ Peeps!
Tom placed “the boys” in their Wednesday morning positions here at my desk. If you are a new reader, “the boys” are Solomon and Solomon Junior (SJ). Solomon is a symbol for wisdom and virtues we at TSJ strive for, and SJ stands for the learning process… the ever developing child within us.
Today, Solomon. in his usual calm way and with his peaceful grin and non-anxious voice, whispered, “Just tell them about the boat.”
The boat? But, I argue, it is another Bible story.
Solomon said, “So? Stories are for learning and sharing your human journey.”
Ok, so I will tell you about my subjective and simple interpretation of another Bible story. Please remember I am not speaking from any particular theological position. I am telling you a story about a boat and God/Man and his “Regulars” (students/disciples).
The Regulars were folks like us and God/Man (Jesus) was their Teacher.
This week’s news has been grim on many levels. It has included shocking and horrible events about evil, terror, and death due to the ISIS terrorist groups. It has included the death of the comic genius of our time, Robin Williams, from utter despair that led to suicide. It has included a story about an unarmed young black man shot multiple times by a policeman. Locally, it has included a hit-and-run death of a youth and the death of a race car driver. Talk about the storms of life!
The Boat ~ The Storm ~ The Teacher
Our ancient Shepherd and Teacher (two of my favorite images/titles) had been teaching all day. It was evening and Teacher was likely dirty and very tired from teaching all day. He had finally turned to his favored Regulars (disciples/students) and said, “Let’s go to the other side.” The story reports, ” They took him as he was.”
He settled into the stern of the boat on a cushion and fell asleep.
A sudden storm burst forth and threatened to sink the boat. The Regulars were extremely scared. But Teacher just slept on the cushion.
The Regulars, in a frightened and angry voice called out, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
Teacher woke up and easily calmed the storm. The Regulars were then overwhelmed with awe. Teacher asked a teacher-like question. “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Have you peeps not learned what I have been trying to teach you? )
(Well, he likely did not use the word peeps, but we are “regulars” in a different time.)
The story is short.
The lesson is enduring.
We are loved and guided.
We can sleep in the boat . . . like Teacher. . . unafraid, because a greater Presence is with us.
Storms come and indeed are overwhelming sometimes, but the Teacher of teachers and Shepherd of shepherds is in the boat too.
Like any good teacher, the man called Jesus modeled what he wanted his regular students (disciples) to learn. The disciples were his peeps so it was with them that he chose to be at the end of a long day. The only teaching he needed to do now was to show them Who he was. Again.
We have all heard or said, “I am in the same boat.” In one sense we are in the boat of humanity and being human means we feel vulnerable from time to time.
This boat story came to me when I put my head on the the pillow after a long day in the emergency room a few short weeks ago and left Tom at the hospital.
I do not know why this story suddenly came that night as I had not heard it in a long time. But story isn’t always about why nor are the facts always remembered accurately. Story is more like a mental movie that elicits individual, subjective experience and interpretation.
Anyhow, I slept. And just that once, I did not cry out, “Do you not care about us drowning down here?” I was on the cushion and slept just like Teacher.
As well cared for and well loved peeps (or Regulars) who live in a world of storms and sometimes feel terrified at sea, we too can call out to the Teacher and Shepherd of our hearts to calm the the storms of life.
SJ liked this story and says Solomon is his best teacher.
