When the waters are rough

It was dark.  The disciples were on their own in the boat.  The waters around them grew rough.  The winds were blowing.

Scripture does not record the disciples praying, crying out to God, in this tumultuous moment.  They simply rowed faster.  They rowed for almost four miles!  

They kept trying to find their way out of the storm in their own wits and ways.  It didn't work.

They got out of their fix only when Jesus arrived on the scene.  And boy, what an entrance!

Jesus walked on water in order to reach His disciples.  This tells us that Jesus will go to great lengths in order to help us.

What mess do you find yourself in?  Are you still trying to "row" your way out of it in your own strength?  That does not prove that you are strong or have your wits about you.  It proves that you do not trust Jesus.

Unless Jesus is telling you to "row harder," then your rowing is in vain, friend.

Jesus got into the boat with the disciples, and immediately they got to where they were going.  Immediately.  I happen to think that they did not go any faster.  I think that they were just there, on dry land, supernaturally.

When Jesus is at the helm of our lives, in the storms and even when the sea is calm around us, we get to where we need to be.

Does this offend your pride, as if needing Jesus' help somehow makes you "less than?"  Yes, Jesus gave us brains to think.  But as Christians, our lives are not about us any more.  We are to live lives of faith.

Does that mean we just sit there and let the waves roll over us?  We should do something, right?

Not when Jesus has a bigger plan in mind.  Jesus let the disciples row four miles in the storm on their own.  Jesus could have intervened immediately, but He didn't.  He let them struggle for a while.  Why?  So that they could learn their need for Him.  So that they would experience Jesus' miraculous intervention that rescued them more than their own wits and brawn ever could.

Jesus lets us struggle in our own ways and devices.  When we do not cry out to Him, will He still come to our aid?  The disciples did not pray or cry out to God.  Jesus came to the rescue anyway.

Jesus knows exactly when to show up and what to do when He shows up.  He does not need our advice.  He does not need our "help."  

The story of Jesus walking on water really happened.  The storm was real.  The disciples' efforts and fear were real.

This is more than a teachable moment for us.  This is Almighty God revealing to us Who He is:  Lord over nature.  

The disciples, as far as we know, did not ask Jesus, "Where were you?! Why did you let us row for four miles on our own in this huge storm?"

That is to their credit.  Unlike when Martha, of Mary and Martha fame, questioned Jesus' timing when she basically had the audacity to tell Jesus that He was too late because Lazarus, her brother, had already died.

Who are we to question God's ways?  Who are we to doubt?  Who are we to not expect miracles?  

We serve the God who performs miracles!  Do we live our lives as such?

I think Jesus wants us to expect miracles of Him.  He is God.  We are His born again children.  He loves helping and rescuing us.  This is not because He wants to see us weak and helpless.  It is because He wants to show up as Lord in our lives so that our faith and trust in Him will grow; so that we are not living like the godless who are left to fend for themselves.

People can get themselves out of all kinds of messes.  But where is the glory for God in that?

God should be getting the glory in our lives.  But how can He when we are hellbent on helping ourselves all the time?

That "God helps those who help themselves" is a bunch of bunk!  You won't find that quote in the Bible.  It isn't there.

The Bible tells us that God's strength is made perfect in our weakness.  The Bible tells us that we are helpless to save ourselves when it comes to our souls.  The Bible tells us that God longs to show compassion on us.  The Bible tells us that God is an ever-present help in time of trouble.

Do we really want God to show up?  This does not mean we are simply passive robots waiting for Him to do everything for us.  But it does mean that we know our need and are not too proud to admit it.  We need a Savior.  We need a Rescuer and Deliverer.  We need God to intervene and do what only He can do.

Yes, we have a part to play.  The disciples' part was to learn that all their rowing was getting them nowhere fast.  Their part was to watch Jesus walk on water.  Their part was to trust Jesus and let Him in the boat.  Their part was to be in awe of Jesus.

As Jesus' disciples, our part is to do the same.

Oh Lord.  You walked on water!  You created water.  You created the law of gravity and therefore could supersede it.  You truly do the impossible, Lord.  All things are possible for You.  When we find ourselves in a fix, Lord, please show up in miraculous ways so that we can give You all the glory and see more of You and Your ways.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.