INTRODUCTION
It's the day of the big match - your school versus the school on the other side
of town. You have always been friendly rivals. This time it is really important
that you win so you can go on to play in the finals of the local tournament. It's
what you've been training so hard for, and you've got a great coach.
The team is in top shape and goes onto the pitch full of confidence. The whistle
blows. It's not long before someone has scored a goal. But it's not your team,
and as the minutes of the first half tick by the situation gets worse and worse.
Things are looking bleak. Everyone in your team is getting tired but the others
just seem unstoppable. And then one of your forwards really panics and shouts
at the referee. He's just avoided getting sent off.
Just when you are desperate and it's all against you, the whistle blows for half
time. Your coach comes onto the pitch and gathers you round him. Suddenly you
realise you were all forgetting what you had learnt - no wonder you were in such
a mess. The coach reminds you, calmly but forcefully. As he talks, it all comes
back to you and you feel as if you are growing stronger by the second. Your determination
returns. You feel ready to go on. What's more, looking round you, you can see
all the other team members are feeling just the same.
By the end of the second half the game is yours. Promotion! Yes!
We all have moments like that in our lives. The first followers of Jesus were
always having them. For some of his disciples there was just such a moment when
they were out in fishing boats and a sudden storm arose. In Storykeepers the story
is told by the Roman soldier who has confiscated the story scroll from Zak...
KEY VIDEO CLIP
Episode 2b: Roar in the Night
PRAYER
When life is stormy, Lord, be with us.
On the days when nothing goes right, when we feel tossed about like a boat in
wintry seas;
Whenever we need a steady hand to guide us to calm waters;
Lord, be with us.
Amen.
MUSIC
'Spirit of Peace' No.85 in The Complete Come and Praise
BBC, 1990
ISBN 0 563 345810
NOTES
In Storykeepers, the story of Jesus stilling the storm is read by the Roman soldier,
Tacticus, who helps the Christians and, in the end, becomes one of them. The story
itself has at least two strands: it is an illustration of the calm faith of Jesus
and his power, and it also uses the symbol of the boat and its passengers representing
the church and its members. For the early Christians, this would reinforce the
belief that Jesus would eventually help the church out of its difficulties.
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