I am in the middle of the ocean… drifting alone in the endless blue. Around me the tide is picking up. It’s dark and all I can sense are the waves around me.
Suddenly a massive breaker appears on the horizon making its way towards me. Before I can think of what to do or how to get away, the cavernous tower of water is right in front of me. All I can do is cower pathetically under the immense imminent tidal wave and wait for it to consume me. As the wave looks about to topple over, the scene pauses…
A voice is speaking. It’s unlike any I have ever heard before. It’s not coming from anywhere specific. Instead, it IS everywhere and at the same time I realize that it is everything. It sounds as though everyone on earth – all 8 Billion people – are talking at the exact same time – but in perfect harmony. It sounds like roaring, rushing water and thunder simultaneously. In fact there are no adequate words to describe the voice accurately. All I can think of in the moment is the feeling of being completely and utterly overwhelmed and in awe.
The Voice thunders and echoes around me and I am aware of the words taking form inside my spirit: “Almighty power and grace”.
I wake up suddenly, startled, and amazed.
Even though I had this dream about 5 years ago, the sound will never leave my memory and the words are still vivid in my mind. Every time I remember the image of the imminent tsunami, it draws me back into the wonder of the Father.
As the curtain falls on 2021, we find ourselves in the midst of a different kind of wave…
The 4th one in South Africa to be exact of the Covid pandemic. Each wave has bought new fears and uncertainties to a world that is exhausted and discouraged, and eager for the waves to end.
It reminds me of Peter.
Matthew 14:28-31 (NLT): “Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it is really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come” Jesus said.
So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water towards Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me Lord!”, he shouted.
Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?””
Here I am, my eyes fixed on the covid waves around me, wondering when the next wave will hit and afraid of drowning in the noise around me. Yet Jesus is asking me to rather fix my eyes on Him above the waves. Above the roar of the wind – the voices of the media and of this world – and the covid waves around us, Jesus is still calling out to us today like He did to Peter 2000 years ago asking, “Why do you doubt me?”
As we make some time to meditate on the brand-new year that Jesus is preparing for us, let us turn our hearts and our faith onto the One who can calm any storm in an instant with His mighty voice. The Almighty One is full of Power and Grace and able to do above and beyond all that we can ever ask, think of, or imagine.
The Faithfulness of God 