8/22/2023

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 2. 5-6)

“Then they were willing to take Him into the boat and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.” (John 6.21)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

Have you ever been driving and suddenly find yourself at your destination asking “How did I get here?” Were we “sleep driving”? Did angels take the four corners of our car and carry us as they carried Ezekiel by the hair of his head from the River Chebar to the courts of Jerusalem? What were we thinking which so consumed us that our “auto-pilot” took over? Did we remain in amazement about what happened or did we give thanks that no one was hurt along the way? We know that in other vinettes concerning Jesus meeting the disciples in the midst of a storm on the Sea of Galilee resulted in their wondering “Who is this that even the wind and wave obey?” Four seasoned fishermen well acquainted with the disposition of the waters they sailed and fished were just as amazed as the eight who trusted them to get them safely from place to place. No amount of preparation was really enough to survive the frequent storms which rose up on these waters. Perhaps they took down the sails to keep them from getting shredded. Maybe they lowered the trolling anchor to provide some stability. Balancing the weight in the boat with strategic placement helped to overcome the churning of the water beaten by the wind across the face of the deep. Even a firm grasp on the rudder to maintain a singular direction was a challenge with the loss of line of sight. All of that could be taken into mind with the other stories recorded in the gospels.

Yet, here in John, chapter 6, we have none of that. They maintained their pursuit of Capernaum with all due diligence. While the tempest roared around them, they were afraid but not dissuaded. They were, however, surprised to see someone coming on the water toward them. He was unavoidable and inevitable. They were on a collision course with the immovable object and the undetered force of presence. They were headed straight for each other. Tensions may have run as high as the intensity of their own internal questions. Jesus heard it all in the mdist of the storm. Nothing was too great to keep Him from His appointed task. He didn’t want to be without His disciples. They didn’t wait for Him as He went further up the mountain to pray. It was His way. He would return, they knew that. But, they didn’t wait. Maybe they saw the storm in the distance. Maybe they were “peopled” out with most of the 20,000 remaining on this shore hoping for a breakfast meal the next day. Finding escape on “that” shore may have seemed more reasonable. The reward far outweighed the risks. Besides, the four fishermen were confident in themselves and their ability to navigate even troubled water. Even when the storm pressed on, so too, did they. But, when they saw someone coming toward them they had to evaluate their situation. How would they control their tiny environment and maintain the integrity of the boat, her crew and passengers by adding another? Usually someone in the water who was distressed would be unruly and nearly impossible to save. Would it require a manuever in the storm which would jeopardize the reaching of their goal as safely as possible to take on another passenger? Who in the world would be caught literally “on the water” in this storm? These were all possible question they may have considered. Only Jesus would know. Hearing and sensing them, Jesus called out “It is I; I AM He- don’t be afraid!” They may have stopped “dead in the water,” but Jesus continued to move forward straight toward them. Hearing His word and His voice they were glad to take Him into the boat. The next thing they knew? They were at the shore. How did they get there? How did it happen? Time may fly when we are having fun but that wasn’t so fun! Regardless, it happened. Their collision course with Jesus and the shore seemed virtually simulateneous. And interestingly enough, nothing more was mentioned about the storm. We don’t hear of the calming of the water and the wind. We don’t hear about the urge to meet Jesus on the water. We don’t hear thoughts about death and ghosts. We don’t hear about thunder and lightning. All we know is that they “arrived.”

Mighty ones of God, there is a lesson in this to be learned. Think about how many times you have moved on ahead to reach a goal and “left Jesus” to Himself. You didn’t think about abandoning Him. You thought more of what needed to be done, what needs in your life that had to be met. Think about the storms, the turmoils, the rough seas and gale-force winds of challenges and problems which came against you. You did all you could to make it through. You trusted yourself to “get ‘er dun.” Before you realized it, there was Jesus coming straight to you. He wasn’t coming “for” you as if you had done something wrong. He was coming to You because He wanted to be with you. He wanted your company. He desired your presence in the good times and the bad. It wasn’t about making Himself feel better, worthy or needed. It was simply about going through life’s “thick and thin” with you. We take Him in and suddenly the trial of the journey fades away from our consciousness. Suddenly, we are right where we wanted to be or needed to be in the moment. The words of Jesus from the hillside sermon from the Rabbi echoes in our soul, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and God’s righteousness and what is needed is provided.” We didn’t have to “work” for it. We did have to “work” for God. We commit ourselves to loving Him, following Him, serving Him, serving with Him. In the process of doing for others, we find what has been done for us. Before we know it, we arrive! And I am not speaking of that final destination. I am speaking of the awakening of our heart, mind and soul to the validity of God’s promise “Lo, I AM with you always.” The crooked roads begin to straighten. The darkness begins to flee. The shadows shorten. The day grows longer. The light seems brighter. The colors seem more vivid. The energy level of our own lives increases. And most of all, there is peace in the midst of the storm! Sometimes in our haste to escape the problem in pursuit of peace, we find only more storms. But, when we pursue the Christ who has always intended to go with us, we find faith, hope, love and peace right where we are. We arrive! And one day, we will arrive in that peace forever. Until then, keep the bright morning star in your view and more straight on until morning has come.

TODAY’S PRAYER IN LIGHT OF GOD’S WORD:

Father, You have revealed to us best in Jesus the Christ. By Him and Him alone shall we gain the eternal life and our place in eternal rest, living for You always. Show us more and by Your Holy Spirit instruct us in the way we should go, the truth we should reveal and the life we shall live with you forever. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.