Here’s the thing, though…to get to that other side requires change. And as we know, significant change is among the greatest of challenges to overcome.

 While we are in the boat with Jesus, while Jesus is trying to get us to the other side, some severe storms of what may seem like apocalyptic proportions are bound to come.

Some of us may find the privilege that we have lived with for so long it feels like it is part of our DNA ripped away by the storm.

Some of us may find layers of guilt and shame about who we are or who we love pulled from us – guilt and shame that feels so familiar we imagine we will perish without it.

We may find some of the things we thought were most important about church blown away by the wind of the Spirit as we seek to collaborate with our partners at Grace Place and the Lakeview Lutheran parish to more faithfully love and serve this world that God so loves.

Though it may seem like we are perishing, let us not forget that Jesus is with us in the boat. Jesus is with us, embodying the peace that the world cannot give. We, who have gotten into the boat with Jesus, we are MADE to survive this storm and once the storm has passed and everything has changed, to thrive. To thrive for the sake of the world.