So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. -Ephesians 4:14

In December 1979, I was invited, along with my dad, to sail on my brother’s ship as he returned from a duty tour in the Western Pacific on what is referred to as a “Tiger Cruise”. My brother was assigned as a radioman on a fast frigate named the USS Lang. Having never been in anything other than a canoe on a river, this was going to be an experience of a lifetime for me as I was medically unable to serve in the Navy.

If you’ve been to sea, you may know that the ship’s movements are pretty much at the mercy of the waves. If the sea is calm, no problems. If not, well, you might imagine things can get a little interesting, especially to your equilibrium.

God wants us to be in unity. He doesn’t wish for us to be tossed about at the mercy and whims of the waves that life constantly sends crashing into us. He provides us with His Word to equip us to meet the waves head on. He gives us fellow believers to bring us together in His love. He commands the storms to be still so that we can have smooth sailing.

He sent His Son to die for us so that we can obtain life everlasting.

What waves are tossing you to and fro? Give it to the One who makes the waves subside and steadies the boat.

Prayer: Our Lord and Savior, we praise you for the storms and the waves and your calming presence that make the seas obey. In your name we pray, Amen.

Contributed by Tom Johnson