Were you afraid of anything when you were a child? Perhaps you were afraid of a variety of ghosts and goblins or the dark (where you were afraid that you would meet the ghosts and goblins). Or perhaps you were afraid of some other things. Fear is common for children as they navigate an often strange world with so many new things that they don’t yet understand. And the fear persists until someone offers reassurance that we are safe and no creature is going to devour us in our sleep.

As adults we may have left behind fear of ghosts and goblins and dark rooms; but often fear haunts us, too. We may fear unemployment or financial crisis or war or terrorism. Our list can go on just like it could when we were children. Just like those fears of years ago, these fears persist until somehow we are reassured that, regardless of their reality, we do not need to be afraid of them.

Enter Jesus. John tells a wonderful little story. Jesus’ disciples were travelling across the sea at night to the town of Capernaum. Jesus hadn’t joined them yet. The water was rough with a stormy wind blowing the boat. Imagine the fear that even a seasoned sailor might feel while struggling to stabilize the tumultuous craft as it violently rolls and rocks. They had gone three or four miles across the sea when they saw Jesus walking toward them on the water. To be fair to the disciples: they may not have recognized Jesus’ in the dark and stormy time in which they found themselves. Regardless, even if they did recognize him, they certainly didn’t expect him to join them by walking across the water. Imagine those disciples wrestling with the embattled boat and looking over its sides and seeing Jesus walking through the waves to join them. How would you have reacted? It isn’t too difficult to imagine that, as John writes, “they were terrified.” And Jesus offered the reassurance that fearful these folks needed to calm their anxiety: “It is I; do not be afraid.” (John 6:16-21, NRSV) It appears that the boat continued to rock and roll but Jesus’ comforting words and presence were enough to calm them until they reached land.

What about us? When we are afraid is Jesus’ presence and comforting word enough to calm us? In our Lenten journey, remember that the promises of the cross are profound and real. We are not alone. We will never be alone. Regardless of the fears and storms that we experience, Jesus continues to whisper lovingly, “Don’t be afraid. Hold my hand.”

This Lent, copy and carry this prayer with you, written by Rev. Charles Tindley in 1905.
When the storms of life are raging,
stand by me (stand by me);
when the storms of life are raging,
stand by me (stand by me).
When the world is tossing me
like a ship upon the sea,
thou who rulest wind and water,
Stand by me (stand by me).

And know this: now and for all time Jesus will stand by you. Whatever the storm that confronts us, we do not need to be afraid because we are not alone.