Meet me on the water

In the eighth chapter of Luke we find the apostles in a boat. The realm of a boat would have been a comfortable one, as many distances were often traveled by boat, at the very least by Simon, whom they called Peter. The boat was coasting along on a lake, quiet enough, that Jesus went to sleep. Some time after Jesus had been asleep for a little bit, a storm showed up, and the disciples' boat began to rock. The placidity of five minutes ago was forgotten, and they were afraid. They soon woke up Jesus, who calmed the seas. It is pointed to notice both responses here.

The disciples were amazed that Jesus could quell the storm.
Jesus questioned their faith.

How often are we in placed in the same situation? There are many such boats, resting on inland seas, rocking serenely to a tune only the boats can hear, with gentle waves lapping, and we feel blessed to even be in the boat.

• Your bills are paid.


• You've food in your fridge.


• You actually like your job.


• Your homework makes sense.


• You keep every appointment you make.

Then, the boat starts to rock.

• A paycheck bounces.


• You can't afford groceries.


• Your boss is breathing down your neck.


• The homework suddenly doesn't make sense, and its due tonight.


• You haven't been on time to an appointment in a month, and your customers have stopped calling.

What do you do?

You really only have two options.
You can trust in God.

• Pray.


• Believe the events that are happening can truly glorify Him.


• Recognize what you DO have to be thankful for.


• Give not yourself over to fear, but be appreciative of what IS going right.

You can trust in fear.

• Run / Scream / Yell.


• Believe the events that are happening will ruin you.


• Recognize that nothing matters.


• Give yourself over to frustration, suffering, fear, and anguish.

Nobody's life is without waves. Clearly, some lives are utterly fraught with misery while others seem a great deal more even-keeled. Regardless, every life has some stress or other. And it is how we address that stress that caresses the mess. In other words, letting the events dictate your state, dictate your actions, or dictate your perception, will ultimately destroy you.

Choose to pray.
Be the one Jesus gives praise to the Lord for because of your faith.
Be like Peter, in that he trusted Jesus and actually walked on water.

I want to meet someone out on the water.