Destination. We like to know, and even in our spiritual life we like to be able to see the goal here and now. But there are times when we have to be content to journey along without having a clear picture of destination.

If you have ever been in darkness on this matter, you will recognize the dilemma. It can be a change of careers, a move, a turning point in life. You pray and ask for guidance, and wait for some clear signal of where you should go. But you find darkness instead, and you sit and wonder, am I doing what is right? Am I going in the direction I need to go? And you pray, “What do you want from me, Lord?”

Such times call for a deepening of faith. It is like the disciples on the boat with Jesus. One would think that if Jesus is there, all should be fine. But this night, a storm breaks loose on the sea, and the disciples are in fear of being capsized, of drowning, of losing their life. And Jesus sleeps on, seemingly unaware of their dilemma. When the disciples wake him, he isn’t so much concerned with the storm as he is disappointed that they are terrified. “Why did you fear, oh you of little faith?”

Those words are a reminder to us that knowing the destination is not the all important thing. What is important is keeping faith, continuing on even when we are not sure. For Jesus is never far, and knowing is not as important as loving. Jesus asks us to believe, even when things are dark, even when we can’t see, even when he seems asleep.