April 25, 2020

With each new week I expect this whole quarantine life to get easier. To find my rhythm. To settle into things. But it hasn't happened yet. Instead, each week brings new surprises, new challenges, and the same restlessness. This week I found myself saying "you know it is comforting to know we're all in the same boat, but sometimes I'd really like to know who's steering!" 

There's a scene in the synoptic gospels where the disciples are with Jesus in a boat and they wonder the very same thing. As a storm rolls in and threatens to capsize them and the boat, the disciples cannot believe Jesus could be sleeping at a time like this! They do everything they can to wake him up, so he can save them. Jesus does eventually wake up, a bit cranky, and performs the miracle the disciples are so desperately pleading for. He calms the wind and the waves in an instant. But like a parent who wants their child to know every tantrum will not lead to that candy bar in the checkout line, Jesus rebukes them saying "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" 

We have been in the midst of this storm for a while. And it's hard to see if we're getting any closer to shore, or if the wind and waves have any intention of easing up anytime soon. It can feel as if Jesus is asleep on the boat, oblivious to the fear and danger that surrounds us. The wind and the waves of coronavirus are very real. But so is Jesus. And Jesus is still on the boat. He is still listening to our voices, even when it seems to us he is sleeping through it all. 

I'm not here to tell you to suck it up and have more faith. I'm here to tell you that part of faith is asking for help. The disciples had faith. If they did not they would not have cried out for Jesus when they knew they were out of their depth.

If you have been feeling like your boat is in danger lately, take a look around and see who is on it with you. If the wind and the waves are starting to feel too much, look for Jesus in your boat. You can find him in prayer, in the Word, and in community. Part of having faith in Jesus is trusting that Jesus is present in our lives and in the lives of those on this crazy boat ride with us. You may have friends, family, or colleagues in the boat with you who are feeling the same way. You may have people in your boat that are gifted with encouragement, empathy, perspective, and resourcefulness. And last but certainly not least, part of having faith in Jesus is realizing when you need to invite someone else onto your boat. God made our minds, bodies, and hearts incredibly resilient, but in the midst of a collective trauma many of us are finding our previous means of coping falling short. New wine calls for new wineskins, and new situations call for new skills. So whatever the view looks like from your boat, just know that asking for help -  whether from Jesus, a loved one, or a professional - is an act of faith.
 
If you are looking for guidance and resources on mental health in this time I highly recommend this guide from NAMI: https://www.nami.org/covid-19-guide