Thursday, August 11, 2011

Don't Worry, It's Me

Today I was reading in John 6. Right after Jesus fed the five thousand, he knew that the people would try to make him king, so he withdrew farther up the mountain. In verse 16 it says:

When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. (ESV)

My first thought upon reading this paragraph was, "Why did they just leave Jesus and sail off without him?" I still don't really get that, but I do know that I am at least as guilty of leaving Him behind and pursuing my own interests, pass-times, etc. so I can't really be too hard on the disciples.

But what stood out to me in this short passage was that the seas were rough, they were having a hard time of rowing across, and then they see Jesus walking on the water. And it freaks them out (understandably!). And Jesus tells them, "Don't worry, it's me." And then "they were glad."

How often have I been in a tough place - situations that I didn't understand; long, hard circumstances that I was struggling to get through. Things happen that cause me to be confused or anxious. What if I had heard Jesus say, "Don't worry. It's me. You may not see or understand, but I am behind these circumstances, working all things for your good. I have deliberately led you here for my purposes, and everything is going to be all right. In fact, better than all right."

I wonder if Jesus intentionally stayed away long enough, knowing the disciples would sail off without him. What if he set this up? Too often, I just react to life as it occurs, but God isn't like me. He knows it all - the beginning to the end - and sovereignly rules over everything. What if God lets the wind pick up, the seas get rough, my own methods and plans fall apart, just so He can show me that His ways are better, and that I can trust Him? What if, unlike the disciples, I am too afraid or stubborn to let Jesus in the boat? His admittance to the boat greatly shortened their journey; they were immediately at their destination. How often have I made the journey longer and more difficult because I won't let God take over?

I love that Jesus addresses them so simply and intimately. Not some great pronouncement or rebuke for leaving him high and dry (no pun intended). Just a simple "Don't worry. It's me." I need to stop listening to the wind and watching the waves and be on the lookout for Someone taking a detour that might be better than my regular route.