We stood together in the intensive care unit, wanting, willing, asking for life to continue. The doctors met with us, telling us what we did not want to hear, "Prepare for the worst."
The words were harsh and frightening, tearing through our lives like an unrelenting fierce storm, with high winds of one hundred miles an hour, pelting hail, and never-ending lightening strikes. It is a surprising and fearful place to be in. It was there, in the middle of it all, we knew God was present. It was God, who guided us through the storm, when it did not seem we would make it, when it seemed too hard to push through, when we were told the worst would occur.
Consider.
That evening Jesus’ disciples went down to the shore to wait for him. But as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn’t come back, they got into the boat and headed across the lake toward Capernaum. Soon a gale swept down upon them, and the sea grew very rough. They had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified, but he called out to them, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!” Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination! (John 6: 16-21, NLT).The disciples, those closest to Jesus, needed to get to the other side of the lake, they waited for Jesus; however, Jesus did not come in the time they had set for Him to come. It made sense to leave. The disciples were seasoned on the sea, making their way on the journey without Jesus would not have been unusual, they left most likely because of their schedule and plans. A storm came soon after they left. But. Jesus met them in the middle of it all, an incomprehensible mysterious moment . . . for all humanity to realize nothing has power over Jesus . . . not even a storm . . . or the rough seas . . . or the darkness of the night. Think what Jesus did to meet them where they were at, He walked on water, got in the boat, and went with them to the other side.
How many times do we go ahead . . . doing what we think will work . . . and, then, suddenly find ourselves alone in the storm?No matter where we are at, the words of Jesus are healing, assuring, and transforming, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!” But, it is in the midst of the storm, in the middle of it all, the words become our anchor, providing courage as well as comfort.
Wait. Trust. Christ will come and go with you, even, when you have begun the journey without Him.
Learning to Kickstart the day making the journey, in the middle of it all, with Christ,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)