If we’re honest with ourselves we probably all have to confess that at one time or another we were or are presently members of the ‘Scardy Cat Club.’

There’s something comforting and reassuring about light.  You hear quips all the time like the classic commercial with the tag line, ‘we’ll leave the light on for you.’  It conjures up images of a welcoming setting, anticipating your arrival.   We equip our homes with motion activated security lights that keep our yards safely illuminated.   They give us a sense of protection as the light serves as a night watchman chasing away burglars with light. Plus, we have no worries of fumbling in the dark unlocking the door.   We go to great lengths to illuminate our own little world.

The apostle John must have been a member of the Scardy Cat Club. In his writings, he recorded more about light than any other writer of the scriptures. He knew about the Prince of Darkness and held tightly to the promises of the One who could shed light on the world.

God’s first recorded words were, ‘let there be light,’ and there was light.   As recorded in Genesis, the earth was formless and void and darkness was over the surface of the deep.

In God’s infinite wisdom God  created light. And only in God’s infinite wisdom did God  let us be introduced to the light of the world – Jesus.

When God sent the son, God  knew we would be afraid of the darkness of the world.   It was almost like God  was saying,  I’ll  leave the light on for you.’

One might expect that on a teenagers door, but not a pre-schooler. But this mom knew all too well why her son had an aversion to vacuum cleaners.

It was a cold, icky winter day and she needed to clean out the car for upcoming guests. Instead of freezing in her driveway, she decided to go to a nearby car wash and use their super duper vacuum cleaner.   With her three year old rescuing toys from the back seat, saving them from certain death, she maneuvered the hose to the back seat and they met in the middle.   In an instant the super duper hose sucked up one of her son’s brand new gloves right off his hand.   She knew she was in trouble, not only because he loved his knew gloves, but she had teased him and jokingly threaten to suck up his toys if he didn’t pick them up.   Not only that, the fear on his face told her he thought he was not only going a glove, but might just lose a hand to the super suction.

She laughed, he cried and the vacuum quit as time and money ran out.  In desperation and guilt, she found the dirt trap, opened the door and sifted through the crud until she found the glove covered in filth.   Eventually the glove went into the wash and disappointment was replaced with a smile.  Saved by the wash!

There are times in life when we are just living life, minding our own business and in a split second we get sucked up by the vacuum of despair, disappointment , or defeat.   Without warning we’re tossed around like a whirlwind and covered in the grime of frustration and begin wallowing in self-pity.   But there is hope and a way to be rescued from the calamites of life.  Allow God to dig you out, dust you off and wash you clean in God’s  love. The stains of guilt will disappear as we become purer than snow.  Cleaned and ready to begin a fresh start. Saved by the wash!

The disciples needed a miracle as they battled a raging storm. Fear paralyzed their souls. Fear was their only thought, for as the waves crashed against their boat, death was inevitable as they so desperately tried to save their vessel from sinking.

Then suddenly, they had another fear to worry about…a ghost!   But, they soon hear the Teacher’s voice say,   Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid. (Matthew 14:27),  but in all the turmoil, they were not convinced it was Jesus. Peter yelled out above the crashing waves,  Lord, it is you, command me to come to you on the water.  Jesus replied, Come.

Peter let go of his fears to be with Jesus and once again, Jesus performed a miracle as he and Peter walked on the troubled waters. But when Peter took his eyes off the Savior and began concentrating on the threatening waves, he began to sink. Once again, Jesus saved him and together they walked to the boat, where wide eyed disciples watched and waited. Jesus spoke and immediately the fierce wind stopped, the pounding waves calmed and the disciples were reminded of what walking with Jesus really meant.

Our journeys are no different – and Jesus in the same yesterday, today and forever. He can perform miracles as we walk on the waters of fear, doubt, loneliness, illness, and other monumental waves that crash in our lives, trying to drown us.

We are not alone in this journey. If we pray and keep our eyes on Jesus he reaches out, takes our hand, and calms the storms in our lives.