13-Aug-23 (Matthew 14:22-33)

There is an interesting sort of balance we need to find in our life of faith. On the one hand, we know, from stories like our scripture for today, that we are to trust God, even when we're in very difficult situations. (Like being out in the middle of the water when a storm comes up.) On the other hand, we're called to be good stewards of those things that God has placed in our care and be concerned about the best ways to manage and use them.
I think the key here is "fear." Fear causes panic. Fear is not thinking carefully about the options before us. Fear is running around grasping at any idea. Thinking carefully brings hope. Fear does not.
So, as we come to this time of offering, let us cast aside fear, but still commit to think carefully about what God has called us to do and how we can support that. Let us choose our actions with care, knowing that God is with us as we consider.

Prayer:

God, we thank you that you care about us and come to help us when we're afraid. We pray as we consider how to give back to you what you have placed in our care, that you keep us from worry and that you help us with wisdom and love to carefully consider what we do.
We pray in Jesus' name.
AMEN.