I love the passage in Isaiah 55, from verse 12 to the end, where the prophet gives us the image of the trees of the field clapping their hands, and the mountains and hills singing for joy. It is brimming with sunshine and wonder and happiness at sheer being-ness. The promise is that we will go out with joy and be led forth with peace. What a wonderful promise.

Sadly, life does not always feel like that. Much of the time we feel more like Jesus’ disciples in Matthew 8:23-27. In a boat, the waves thundering around us, the storm threatening to overwhelm us and drag us under. And God is firmly asleep in the bows, while we battle for our lives.

But see! The moment they ask for help, Jesus gets up and rebukes the waves and wind, and a calm follows. I should imagine that terror of the storm is quickly replaced by terror of “who on earth is this man that even the winds and waves obey him?” It is one thing to go about healing; that is not so unheard of, though nobody else can do the healing that Jesus has done. But control over the natural world? That is something else again. Only God can do that. We are in Moses territory here.

While this miracle is in and of itself wonderful and encouraging, for me the question is, how do we extrapolate this for us, here and now?

The key thing is, as so often, that Jesus is present but does not act until asked. God is with us, always. The Holy Spirit is within us at all times. But God is not a tyrant, and does not take over and order us around. Instead he invites, offers, suggests. And above all, he waits to be asked.

Next time we find ourselves in an unbearable storm, grumbling as to why God has not intervened, perhaps we could ask God for help? I am rapidly learning to ask at the first signs of clouds, instead of waiting for the thunder to roll. Because I would much rather be surrounded by singing hills and joyful shrubbery whenever possible. It is an image that brings a smile to my face every time I think about it.

Rev. Talisker

Image “Burst into Song” by Hannah Dunnett