Yes, We’re going there!

In the beginning of August, this was the phrase I heard.  Immediately I knew, “it was going to be a blog post.”  But of course first, with every post, sermon, or lesson, God was going to walk me through it first.  And many times there will be a follow up test afterword.

And so there was the challenge, passivity.  I don’t know about you but I’m the type of person to take the passive route.  Seriously why rock the boat if I don’t have to.  Many times with conflicts or arguments I prefer not to go there, and if not physically, internally I will put my hands in the air and take a step back.  Even with emotions, far too often there has been avoidance or just numbing it over. In all honesty it’s not easy facing the hurts, wounds, anger, or admitting faults.  And so the enemy of denial kicks in - its doesn’t bother me that much, it’s really not that bad, or I’m not angry, etc.   And then I was preparing for Sunday school class, Mark 4 and here was the text…

³⁵ On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.”  ³⁶ And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. ³⁷ And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. ³⁸ But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” ³⁹ And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (Mark 4:35-39, ESV).

Well, they were going there and Jesus not only rocked the boat, but them led them right into the storm.  He was as calm as could be, actually taking a nap until he was abruptly awakened by the disciples panic. 

⁴⁰ He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” ⁴¹ And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Jesus reveals to them, he is in control of all things of all situations.   It’s not first time God has rocked the boat.  We have Jonah in his disobedience trying to run from God…

⁴ But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up. ⁵ Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep. ⁶ So the captain came and said to him, “What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish” (Jonah 1:4, ESV). 

When the mariners realized the cause of the storm was Jonah they threw him overboard and the storm stopped.  Not only did He lead them into the storm, He was the only one able to get them through it. 

Lord God, you are in control of all things and all situations.  Although we may not want to go there or may be afraid to rock the boat you are not.  There are times you say, “Yes we’re going there” and lead us directly into the storm.  But it’s there when you reveal yourself, God Almighty, and deliver us through the storm.  Thank you Lord!