Straining Against Life – Bryan Hutson
After the miracle of the feeding of thousands with some fishes and loaves, Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, He went up on the mountain to pray. Later that night, Jesus noticed the boat in the middle of the lake.
Mark 6:48-52
“He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed,”
Jesus saw His friends STRAINING AGAINST THE OARS, because the wind was against them.
The oars for a boat is used to steer the vessel in the direction that you want to do. How often times in my life am I straining against the oars?
I do my best to steer in the right direction but the wind is against me. Circumstances are against me, my health is against me, the trials of life are against me, the devil is against me and just sometimes, LIFE is against me.
But just as in the story in Mark, Jesus says “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” And then He climbs into the boat (circumstance/situation) with us.
Jeremiah 23:23 “Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?”
See, God wants to be in the boat with us. He wants to face each situation along side of us.
You might ask “What happens when the wind DOESN’T die down? Does God NOT care?”
Yes, sometimes God doesn’t calm the storm and sometimes He doesn’t remove us from the rain and wind. It’s those times, He wants to CALM us.
As we’re “straining against the oars”, trust Him that He knows best. Let Him steer your vessel.
Prayer starter:”Father, I feel like I’m straining against life. I need you to come into my situation and calm my heart. I trust YOU. In Jesus name. Amen.”