Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and broke them. Then He gave them to the disciples to set before the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. Luke 9:16-17.

Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.” Mark 10:28.

Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever. Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people, both now and forever. Psalm 125:1-2.

Reading our chapter, 1 John 5, the last chapter of this letter, brought to mind just how much I don’t yet understand when I think I am in control. I am still learning to trust Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit, for everything. Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world, and this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son. The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death. We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Little children, guard yourselves from idols.

John is writing deep theology. When I am overcome with worry for those I love and for events in this world, I feel like the disciples in the boat terrified by raging storms they could not control. And in prayer, He helps me see what I don’t want to see. Our terror is for what we can’t control – but we have no control over events in our world, or in the lives of those we love. Jesus the Son calmed the raging storm terrifying the disciples. They tried so hard to keep up and understand all the changes Jesus was making while He was with them. It didn’t make sense until after His resurrection because that changed everything. This is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. And the testimony is this – that God has given us eternal life, and this (eternal) life is in His Son. And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true – and we are in Him who is true – in His Son Jesus Christ – this is the true God and eternal life! We weren’t there but John was. His testimony of his experiences is true and given so we can know to turn to God and know Him who is true. He never lied to the disciples and He has never lied to us. And as we begin to realize the truth of Creator God we are shaken to our core and that is good and needed. Is it so hard to imagine being in that boat with the disciples terrified by the raging storm when life in this fallen world is a raging storm we have no control over? The disciples had Jesus to calm that storm and He did – and still they couldn’t grasp all that He is. At that very same time, there were people living and working and going about their business who were not in that storm. So it is today. Who are we truly?