Mark 6:45 Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. 46 And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. 47 Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. 48 Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. 49 And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”51 Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. 52 For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.
53 When they had crossed over
Growing up my grandparents took me on road trips. Now I take my kids on road trips. There is this cursed question that came out of my mouth and now my kids mouth on the road trip. It is the most irritating question that begins about an hour into a 15 hour trip. The question is asked repeatedly. I asked it after counting the cows, playing slug bug, playing my spy with my little eye, and taking a 5 minute nap. I thought there should be more coordination than that. I knew we were not there yet but thought we should have by then. I was bored. So I would pull out my sony walkman and listen to some Amy Grant, Gospel Gangsters, and DC Talk.
I think most of our life is like the road trip. We know we are not where we used to be and we know we are not where we think we should, we are not where we want to be, we are not where God said we could be. We are in the meantime….
It feels embarrassing to be in the meantime. We have tried to get to the other side. We have done all we know how to do, all our mentor knows how to do, all they know how to do and we are not there yet. We think we should be there by now. No one tells us when we leave shore in the boat how long it will take to get to the otherside. No one said it could take years or even decades. So often because the timeline does not match our internal one, we manufacture it. People ask us how we are doing and we act like we have already arrived “there” instead of telling the truth about being in the meantime. The disciples only made it halfway across sea with their best effort. Sound familiar? Here is the key:
The first step to getting to the otherside is admitting you are not there
and here is the second:
It is only by the grace of God we get to the other side.
When I was a kid on a road trip with my family, I would often fall asleep. The next morning I would wake up with the strangest feeling. How did I get here? You see when I fell asleep my dad picked me up and took me where I needed to be.
You see there is one who never sleeps. He will be the faithful one. He is the reason you get to the otherside. It will be by His grace alone.
I do not know where your “there” is. It might be your marriage, job, your kid, or a promise of God. Whatever it is God loves you and is for you. And when you have done all you know to do… Stay in the boat! Though the waves are mounting and wind is building, it is better to be in the storm with Jesus than alone on the beach . Take rest by knowing who is in your boat!
Live a Better Story
Brandon Sereg
