Even the wind and the sea

Haiku for the storm-tossed.

When evening came

they took the boat, crossed over

to the other side.

Left the crowd behind,

looking for a brief respite.

Other boats came too.

In the stern, weary,

on a cushion, tired eyes;

Jesus falls asleep.

The wind is rising,

grows into a roaring gale;

waves are crashing in.

Fearful, they wake him.

Teacher, are you not concerned?

We could all be drowned!

Rebuking the wind

and commanding wild sea

he speaks: Peace! Be Still!

The wind dies away

and the waves cease their crashing;

Why are you afraid?

Why are you afraid​?

We’ve travelled far together;

have you still no faith?

Who, they ask, is this;

the wind is at his command,

the sea obeys him.

Words for the faithful

when all seems out of control:

Be at peace! Be still!

© Ken Rookes 2018

Peace! Be Still!

Without the benefit of radar rain mapping

or Doppler wind display,

Jesus, known among the faithful

as Son of the great Creator-Parent,

manages to deal with the storm.

First century gospel writers

had no hesitation in promoting

the miracle-working capacities of their Lord;

evidence, as it was, of his status as an equal

within the Godhead.

Hey, storm-subduing Jesus,

orderer of waves

and director of the wind,

we could use a few miracles, too!

How about sending some rain down here;

you know that we need it.

And while you’re at it

there are a few other storms

that could do with some divine intervention.

The blizzards of relationships, frozen,

bitter and unforgiven;

swirling tornados of fear and certainty

catching up all in their path;

the burning maelstroms of greed and accumulation,

always hungry for more;

cyclones of despair that build large and wild

to eliminate hope;

the thunderous lightning that deafens, blinds

and denies that which is true and good;

squalls and tempests that accuse and abuse,

causing damage difficult to repair;

and the destructive hurricanes

released by rampant egos

lusting unrelentingly for power.

Speak the word, Jesus!

© Ken Rookes 2012