A note from Chris Yarco

"...He rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm." Matthew 8:26.

This scripture greeted me the morning of the massive snowfall last week. It was particularly meaningful as I recalled the previous snowy night as I was trying to drive from Happy Valley to Wilsonville with only rear wheel drive. Yikes.

Matthew 8:32-27 shares that in their moment of fear, the disciples cry out to Jesus saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing." They were certainly expressing their physical needs, and perhaps, unknowingly, their spiritual needs, too. Jesus met their immediate need for safety by calming the storm, and He ultimately met their spiritual need by conquering death in His resurrection.

This captured my heart as I think of how often fear creeps into my day. Because I don't know what to do. Or what to say. Or even what to think. Or which way to turn. Or how to help. This scripture is our encouragement. He is our helper for every practical and every spiritual need. HE is able to rebuke the winds and the sea and create a great calm. Surely He can bring wisdom to us when we turn to him. Surely He can equip us with words (or perhaps no words) when we are struggling with what to say. Surely He can be our comfort -- or comfort to another -- when we turn to Him.

And I think that's the thing. I need to turn to Him. I need to cry out, "Save me, Lord." Too often I sit in the struggle - sit in the fear - rather than turn to Him with my need.

This Lent season, He is reminding me of His presence. Of how He provides. Of His incredible faithfulness. I pray in confidence that as you turn to Him this season, He is reminding you as well that He can be trusted. May you have a beautiful journey to Easter as we celebrate our Savior and our King together.

Chris Yarco
Lead Executive