Saint Theresa of Avila lived in Spain during the time of the Spanish Inquisition. She was a nun who had begun to write of some of her experiences in prayer and the answers to prayers when she was called in front of the Inquisition to determine if she had violated the church’s laws in any way. It was a turbulent time in Spain. Theresa wrote that on one occasion she had been so distraught over the problems she was facing, that she found herself unable to pray until she recalled the words of Jesus from Mark 6:50: Take Courage! ! It is I. Don’t be afraid.

Jesus spoke these words while miraculously standing on the water, approaching the boat that held the disciples. The The message from him not to fear was a message that Moses , Joshua, and others had received, but none had received it in such an immediate and personal fashion : He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. (Mark 6:48,50) Others had heard the words “Don’t be afraid,” but on the day that Jesus walked on water he showed us why and how we could be fearless: “It is I.” In the flesh God was present with the disciples and His very presence was enough to dispel their fears. Christians are not to be brave because of our own strength or ability, but because the all powerful One is with us. The very words strengthened Theresa’s spirit, as they dispelled the fears of the disciples. Peter, in fact experienced the fearlessness to join the Lord on the water after Jesus said, “Come.” Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:29-30) There is no other reason not to fear, than the one Jesus gave: “It is I.” It was enough for Peter, andJesus knew that some day it would be enough for all of his disciples.

In our world of heaving waves of uncertainty, the storms of distrust, broken faith and threats, there is only one source of genuine courage. It’s attached to the person of Jesus the Christ, who places himself at our disposal if we believe and risk getting out of the boat. “It is I “ was all that Theresa needed, all that Peter needed, and all that we need today. Indeed, the assurance of God in our lives , of His intimate and constant love, is the source of all the courage we need in our confusing, turbulent times. When we are puzzled or dismayed, the living Christ has said, Don’t be afraid. “It is I.”

Love in Him,

Prue