Boats & banyans: a devotional

by Karley Berge

Recently a news article grabbed my attention. It was about a huge banyan tree in Maui, Hawaii. This tree was scorched in early August of 2023 when a massive blaze roared though Lahaina, Maui. On maps of Maui you can find it because it is simply called ‘The Banyan Tree.’ It spans 1.94 acres, has 16 trunks and is about a quarter mile in circumference. As arborists and residents grappled with the loss of so much the history and legacy of this beloved tree was unknown. Could it survive after such an assault? Had the darkness, heat, and smoke taken the life away of this incredible tree? It looked terrible on the outside but was there more underground we didn’t realize was happening? No one seemed to have any idea. 

So much of this last year, I was wrestling with similar questions. We suffered incredible loss three different times over 2023. The heat, fire, and suffocation in our lives seemed to me at times to suck the life right out of my lungs. We felt charred and burned and lost in the smoke. 

God kept bringing this passage up to me in different ways, and I learned a lot about who He is in these 6 verses…

¹⁶ When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, ¹⁷ where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. ¹⁸ A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough.¹⁹ When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. ²⁰ But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” ²¹ Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

John 6:16-21

Instead of heat and flames, the disciples found themselves soaking wet, rowing hours in dark and fighting a terrible storm. As I was struggling this year, I focused my attention specifically on the truth of who Jesus was and my heart began to change.

1.     Jesus never misses an opportunity for me to grow in my faith. Jesus longs for me and all those who love him to grow. Jesus sent his disciples off knowing they needed another opportunity to learn about who he was and how much he loved them. (16)

2.     Jesus is never late. He comes just at the right time. He came when they were tired, having rowed 3-4 miles. Their human strength was spent. (19)

3.     Jesus knows where I am emotionally and uses kind words first. Jesus’ kind and gentle words, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” Isn’t that amazing? I said those words to my own heart and it really worked! He arrived in the darkness, I heard his voice, and it was kind. (20)

4.     Jesus will and forever will remain unshakable in his loving concern for me. He uses his power and sovereignty on my behalf. They arrived at their destination with Jesus in the boat. He alone provided for their safe arrival. (21)

I have clung to these truths this year and I have not been disappointed. My heart is still aching over the losses, but God knows this and his words are forever kind. 

As you might have guessed The Bayan Tree has sprouted new leaves! Some of the long branches did die and needed to be cut. But, as the new leaves sprout it is giving more nutrients to the rest of the tree aiding in its recovery. Isn’t that just how God works? Giving us new chances to live and even flourish after seasons that seem unbelievably cruel. 

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Karley Berge is a Social Worker, turned Nurse, turned mom who is discovering who Jesus really is.  She is married to Layne and mom to August (3) and Sonja (1).