Sometimes we are so lost, lonely and
afraid. Like the disciples in the Gospel of Mark, we’re on a boat in the middle
of the sea, and we feel like we’re about to drown. As the storm passes over, we have
little to no control over which direction we are heading. The fierce gusts of wind and waves cause water to break over into the boat so much that it starts
to sink. Are we ever going to make it through?
We hopefully remember who’s in the boat
with us… Jesus. He’s here, constantly working in and through our lives; but
does this mean we can always feel it? The apostles were tossed by these waves,
nearly drowning, and Jesus appeared to be fast asleep! He seemed so at peace
and unalarmed as they tossed and turned amidst the waves. He must know our
situation, right? Why doesn’t He help? We finally call out to Him in desperation,
“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he responds, “Why are you
afraid? Do you still have no faith?” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve
gotten so tangled in stress and anxiety, and really saw no way to get out. I
asked for the Lord’s help and didn’t seem to get much of an answer, and I was
so beat up by the surrounding waves that I felt I couldn’t go much further. But
with the help of a dear priest, I realized that Jesus was laying there in my
boat. And like the disciples, I was too foolish to realize that He won’t let us
sink so long as He is aboard.
Now comes the most difficult task
imaginable… trusting in Him wholeheartedly! Like in the Gospel of Matthew, God
calls us out on the waves. Much like Peter we start out with our eyes focused
on Christ, but soon we notice the world around us. There’s so much going on,
and the wind and waves stand over us as if we were looking into a hurricane. We
lose focus on Christ and begin to fear the beast in front of us. The feeling of
helplessness takes over and we start to sink. We call out once again “Lord,
save me!”, and just as He rescues Peter, Jesus extends His hand and saves us.
I hope this
newest rant, which has been brewing in my head all weekend, triggers one simple
point as you read this… We must trust in the Lord in all things, and at all
times! Only then can we truly rest with Him in the boat. “You of little faith,”
He says, “Why did you doubt?” It’s really easy to get caught up in the
day-to-day mess that we inevitably find ourselves in. But so long as we keep
our eyes fixed intently on Christ, we will make it through; for with God, ALL
THINGS are possible!
I
wanted to touch a little on all my references…
If
you were wondering, ‘What does the boat represent?’, I want to forward you on
to my best friend’s blog, www.themanoffshore.blogspot.com
. Read about it!
And
the two bible passages I referenced were:
The
time Jesus walked on water… Matthew 14:22-23
The time Jesus calmed the water… Mark 4:37-41
The time Jesus calmed the water… Mark 4:37-41
