Are You Ready To Think Outside the Boat?
Good Morning Friends,
Today’s scripture chronicles a real incident but reads like a parable. It is about our doubt, the forerunner of fear, and taking risks and facing the storms of life that are part of God’s will and help us to grow. It is about having courage to believe in what we have never tried before. It is about putting our faith into action. It is about worship. Are You Ready To Think Outside the Boat?
Scripture: Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Message: There is a sense of urgency in today’s message that calls us to get in the boat and then to think outside the boat but not necessarily to jump ship. It is about extending our perspective beyond the normal boundaries. It is about facing the storms of life with the hope that Jesus will come to us in our hour of need. Friends, we have this promise… when things seem lost, when the outlook is bleak, when hope is all but gone, God will come. That is the story of the storm and it is the story of the cross and resurrection and Jesus’ return. And the thing is that we do not have to walk on water to benefit from it, but we do have to stay focused on Jesus. Here we must take seriously life’s commitments. Here we must face the reality that looking for a sea with no storms is pointless. Jesus sees us in our struggles- so if you are feeling like you are drowning, just remember that your life guard can walk on water and will reach out. Friends, faith is never constant because it is always changing by what we are going through. We have our mountain tops and we have our valleys. But Jesus is Lord in all of them. He will help us ride out the storms and He will keep us humble when are experiencing divine blessings. So, we are to have faith in Jesus because he saves us when we act in faith. And that is just one reason it is important to worship God. For God is both ruler of nature and the nurturer of our souls.
Pray that Jesus is praying for us even now. Pray we take heart. Pray we stay the course. Pray we are willing to take a risk. Pray we embrace the unknown because God is already there and knows all. Pray we keep our eyes on Jesus even when he is difficult to see. Pray we take a leap of faith when God speaks. Pray we realize that sometimes the options in life are to either sink or swim. Pray we not become exhausted, burned out or discouraged. Pray we realize that apart from Jesus we cannot succeed. Pray Jesus therefor help us ride out the storms of life so we might experience the blessings of life. Pray we have faith in Jesus whether we are in the boat or out.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 