Quieting the Wind

NORMA STREBLER

In the fourteenth chapter of Matthew we read, "And when he [Jesus] had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray." The Master had just fed the multitudes with the loaves and fishes; and may we not believe that after he had made this demonstration he went into the mountain to refresh his thought in order that he might still further demonstrate the truth of being? For when we read a little farther on, we find that he walked on the sea!

The disciples were in a ship on a storm-tossed sea. Do not we also sometimes find ourselves on a troubled sea, with the wind contrary, and error shrieking, screaming, for recognition? But even in the midst of our troubles we can hear Christ, Truth, saying, "Be not afraid."

But are we like Peter? Are we doubtful of the Christ? Peter wanted to prove the Christ when he said, "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water." We remember that Jesus very calmly said, "Come." Peter did not hesitate, but went out of the ship and began to walk on the water. How often we boldly walk on the troubled waters of mortal mind, thinking we are firm in the assurance that the Christ is near; but how often also, like Peter, when error seems to become boisterous, we too become frightened and begin to sink! We begin to believe that evil is real, and as we are striving to master the material senses we believe that error is overwhelming us by its roar.

Mrs. Eddy says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 455), "You must utilize the moral might of Mind in order to walk over the waves of error and support your claims by demonstration." We must support our claims by demonstration! We must prove that divine Love is ever near, so that when the outstretched hand of Love is given us we, too, may feel the supporting influence of Christ, Truth, and be saved. Jesus said to Peter when the latter cried out in fear, "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" Our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, also saw the subtlety of error which would try to force its way into our thinking just when we feel sure the demonstration is being made over fear, when she says, "Let neither fear nor doubt overshadow your clear sense and calm trust, that the recognition of life harmonious—as Life eternally is—can destroy any painful sense of, or belief in, that which Life is not" (Science and Health, p. 495). The temptation often seems to insist that we should look to material conditions for a manifestation of healing; and if we see no results, we are tempted to doubt the power of God and to believe that we, too, are sinking. But we ought to know that the arm of Love is around us, and will hold us safely. We must learn to look away from material things and know that God's child is never in need of healing, and that the conditions of matter have nothing to do with the truth of being, with the reflection of Spirit, God.

"And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased." When Peter's frightened sense was calmed and quieted by the Master's understanding voice, "the wind ceased." Mrs. Eddy gives as part of a definition of "wind" (Science and Health, p. 597), "Destruction; anger, mortal passions." However boisterous the winds of error may seem to be, we, too, may come to divine Love, and there find the peace and calm which come to all upon the realization of the omnipotence of God, good. Then we, too, are able to say "Peace, be still" to all our troubled and doubtful thoughts.

The words of one of our beloved hymns have always been a great source of comfort to the writer when the winds have been boisterous and the waves have roared:

"In heavenly love abiding,
No change my heart shall fear;
And safe is such confiding,
For nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me,
My heart may low be laid;
But God is round about me,
And can I be dismayed?"

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