Imagine that the basketball authorities decided to change the game by removing the baskets and backboards. What would happen? No longer would the game have goals. Players would dribble, pass, foul, run up and down the court, but the game would no longer make sense.
To me this is what happens in a secular worldview. Not having a clear purpose for life, people are left to make up their own goals. In our secular-based society, many people choose pleasure and recreation as their life goal. Others choose family life. Many choose running a business or making money or even making a name for themselves. With so many conflicting goals, it is no wonder that we live in an age of chaos, conflict, and confusion.
As Christians we base our lives on the Biblical worldview. Our purpose in life is getting “back home” with the Father. Life on this earth is a journey and Jesus is the way “back home.” Our purpose in this life is aimed at a goal that goes beyond what can be attained in the few short years we have on earth.
One of the images that summarizes our purpose on earth is that of a boat crossing over a sea to reach a destination. This image is apparent in today’s gospel passage (Matthew 8:23-27).
“As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him.”
Notice that Jesus got into the boat first and the others followed him. They were leaving the place where they had been working and heading for a new land. The disciples trusted that Jesus knew what was going on, even though they didn’t; so they followed him. Spiritual writers have likened the Church to a boat that is sailing across the sea of life to a destination of heaven.
“Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep.”
Though we expect that riding in the boat with Jesus will be a smooth and comfortable experience, the fact is, violent storms will come our way. The trip is not always easy. What is consoling is that Jesus is with us in the boat, even if he is sleeping and it seems not to be there or even necessary.
“They came and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’”
Realizing that the storm was more than they could handle, and the boat seemed to be sinking, they cried out to Jesus for help.
“He said to them, ‘Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?’ Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm.”
Jesus responded to their call for help, exposed the shallowness of their faith, and took authority over the upheaval of nature. Peace settled upon them, and they continued toward their destination.
God allows storms to come into our lives to shake us up and make us realize how much we need Jesus. In our complacency we begin to think that we can make it across the sea using our own skills and ingenuity.
So many things to think about. Have we been duped by our secular culture into pursuing lesser goals than the only one that counts? Have we become complacent and forgotten that Jesus is with us in the boat waiting for us to call upon him? Do we, too, have “little faith?”
