The Book of John. Chapter Six.
So Jesus fed thousands of people who, in turn, wanted to make Him their earthly king. He faced this temptation several times throughout The Gospels, but each and every time He refused.
Jesus never took a shortcut to His Crown.
And neither can we.
Instead, like The Disciples, we must endure the wind and waves that blow us about on a sea so merciless it terrifies seasoned fishermen. Though the storms and seas are rough throughout our trials and temptations, we need only to focus our eyes on things above–to look beyond our own pain, and our own dangers, to see Him through the storm.
Once we see Him, we are accepted as we are–battered and broken by the storms: suffering the spiritual sickness of alcoholism and/or addiction; the sexual abuse we endured as children that brought us to sexual promiscuity and/or psychological isolation; or the violence we have endured that simply bred the violence we have inflicted–but once we are accepted, He never lets us go (v. 39).
Sometimes, I see Him.
But most of the time I can only the feel the earthquake in the depths of my soul and see the tsunami coming for me. And I know it’s about to wreck the ship and purge the land with unparalleled power. When that happens, I really want to take a shortcut Home. Until I remember His example.
So I look for Him. Again.
And there He is: walking on water. Defying the very laws of physics He created. I, too, am terrified. But His Presence and His Promise remind me that I can do the impossible as well.
I can survive the storm.
Thank God!
Ohhh… Great thoughts. I love that you saw this. He stayed committed to the course. And so must we. And we can because He did.
Absolutely, Annie!
I was reading John 6 again this morning. 19-21…
“They saw him” but it wasn’t until they heard Him that they were willing to take him in.
Take him in…Hmmm kind of like our intake of Bread..Hmmm
Thanks brother another wonderful post. Love to ya.
As I found out when a friend of mine accepted Christ recently, the messenger has very little to do with the events surrounding the decision; they are orchestrated in such a calculated way by The Almighty that the eyes and ears are opened at the precise time as one is willing to “take Him in.”
Glad you liked the post, Carl.
“Once we see Him, we are accepted as we are–battered and broken by the storms: suffering the spiritual sickness of alcoholism and/or addiction; the sexual abuse we endured as children that brought us to sexual promiscuity and/or psychological isolation; or the violence we have endured that simply bred the violence we have inflicted–but once we are accepted, He never lets us go (v. 39).”
Thank you for this. It is good to remember we don’t have to “straighten up” before coming to Him. When it pleases Him to reveal Himself to us, we come. No matter the package, battered and broken by the storms, He still beckons, “Come unto me all you who are weary…and I will give you rest.”
“This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.”
You’re welcome, Michelle.
And, believe me, I needed to hear that, too!
“But most of the time I can only the feel the earthquake in the depths of my soul and see the tsunami coming for me. And I know it’s about to wreck the ship and purge the land with unparalleled power. When that happens, I really want to take a shortcut Home.”
No shortcuts. You signed a contract.
No. shortcuts.
Keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
(I think maybe it’s the in-between that gets him.)