Stay in the Boat

The waves thrashed as our wooden ship creaked. Rolling gray clouds roared as rain hit my face and wind whipped through my wet hair. I tightened my grip on the boat’s railing. The captain called out, “Stay in the boat!”

My balance faltered. I cried out to the crew for help, “Please, take my hand! I can’t hold on much longer.” The crew saw my distress but did not come to my aid. The next wave hit, and I lost my grip. I held on with one hand and I cried out again, “I can’t hold on! Help me stay in the boat!” The captain himself left his post at the helm and cautiously came toward me.

I fell over the railing―hanging off the edge of the boat with one hand. I reached out with my free hand and said, “Please.” Hot tears and cool rain ran down my cheeks. The captain looked at me with judgment. With the flick of his wrist, he loosened my grip and sent me overboard. My eye grew wide in disbelief just before my body crashed through the water’s surface.

All was quiet under the weight of the water. It was as if there was no storm at all—only the heaviness of betrayal and isolation. Dark, cool liquid enveloped me. I felt the urge to breathe in the water and let it take me, but instead I gathered my strength and kicked my legs, propelling myself to the surface. I burst through the barrier and gasped.

I swam. Without a boat, my only options were to swim or die. I kicked, then kicked again until I saw a hand stretched down into the water toward me. I grabbed it and the hand pulled me to the surface. I broke free from the ocean’s clutches and filled my lungs with fresh air. I looked to see the face of my rescuer as I heaved. He said, “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.”

I don’t know how, but I was standing on the water’s surface with my rescuer. The storm ceased. The waves obeyed. Celestial rays broke through gray clouds. I looked forward and saw a rainbow arched over dry land.

But where was the boat?

I looked over my shoulder to see the boat sailing away from us deeper into the storm. It was as if the captain was chasing the storm not fleeing from it. The crew and passengers stayed in the boat. They stayed with the captain. They stayed in the storm.

I dared not let go of my rescuer’s hand for fear of sinking back into the ocean. I gripped his hand tightly as we walked side by side toward the rainbow. With each step my confidence grew. I slowly let go as we walked. My pace quickened. My rescuer smiled at me and I smiled back. There was no need for words, my gratitude was tangible.

I knew what I had to do, and I had to do it alone. I let go of my rescuer’s hand and ran across the surface of the water. There were others who needed him more than me. I sprinted toward the land. I wasn’t sure what awaited me, but I was no longer afraid. Free from the storm, free from the ocean, free from the captain, free from the boat.

I ran toward the rainbow arched over dry land with my Savior’s blessing.