Devotion of the Week
March 21 2004
By: Kyle Burnette, Pastor
Baxter UMC
Baxter, Ky.

Devotion by: Kyle Burnette Scripture: "But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, 'Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid."

Jesus said this to a small boat full of disciples on a troubled sea in the middle of the night. I'm sure that one sentence served as reminder to those faithful few many times after, as it does for us today. There were times in their life that Christ's words of promise was the strongest anchor they had to hold to.

It was a cold and dreary March morning in the early 70's that I boarded a Delta flight leaving Detroit destined for Knoxville Tennessee. As the plane taxied down the runway the rain that had fallen all morning began to bead and run down the window. As the plane made it's way heavenward the dark clouds that had earlier loomed over head were now just outside the window. A somewhat scary time for a teenager on his maiden flight. A time that was both exciting and terrifying. Just as suddenly as we had entered those dark, looming clouds, the plane broke through into a radiant sunshine filled sky on the other side absent of storms. One that brought much needed comfort and a sense of awe that God was truly present in His Heaven.

As I have faced struggles in my life since, I have often thought of that first flight. Many times, all we choose to see are "dark clouds" looming over us and at time overtaking us. It's comforting to know that just as Jesus was in the midst of a troubled sea when the disciples couldn't recognize him, He is in our midst today. Even when the darkness seems to be surrounding us His love is still present and at "His moment" will appear to us more powerful than the radiance of the sunshine. Hold onto His words..."Be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid."