From Rowing to Resting
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada with a word about danger.
When I was a little girl, I’d lie on my side in bed, and I would stare with fascination at a framed plaque that hung on my bedroom door. It was a silhouette of a child praying in a tiny boat being tossed in rough seas. To me, it looked kind of scary and even dangerous. Why was that little girl all alone in a small boat out in the ocean? But her prayer that was written on the plaque was simply this: ‘Dear Lord, my little boat and I are on your open sea; please guide us safely through the waves, my little boat and me’. I thought about that plaque when I was recently reading in the Gospel of John, chapter 6. Jesus and his disciples had been ministering all day long, and sometime after sunset, Jesus ordered them into the boat and told them to cross the Sea of Galilee to Bethsaida while He, in turn, sent the crowds away. Now reading this account, this is what I thought of.
The disciples had a healthy fear of the sea, right? Especially the Sea of Galilee where sudden storms were common. And they had to be nervous when, at the end of the day, Jesus ordered them to row across open waters in the dark. Evening had already fallen and this was no time to get into a boat and push out into the water. Before the wind had blown or a wave had risen, it was already a dangerous situation, and I’m sure the disciples understood this. The thing is didn’t Jesus? But isn’t that just like God? Yes, the Lord will send us—even call us—into dark, dangerous places. Nevertheless, at the Lord’s command, the disciples started rowing out into the dark, windy ocean. And it wasn’t before long that their worst fears were confirmed; sure enough, strong winds started to blow and the waves began to toss and tip their boat. In such treacherous circumstances did they begin to doubt the wisdom of Jesus in having them get in the boat and row out into a storm? I’m sure they did.
But I think it’s so interesting that the same God who sent the disciples across the sea is the One who stirs up that sea. He’s sovereign and responsible for the danger! But amidst wild winds and thrashing waves, Jesus comes walking across the water showing His dominion over danger as He says to the disciples, “What, like, quick get out of this storm and turn around and go back?” or “Stop heading into the wind and tack to the left?” Does He say, “Aw man, I’m so sorry I got you into this mess.” No, He doesn’t say those things, and He doesn’t change the situation. He simply says to the disciples, “It is I; do not be afraid.” It is only when the men responded with trust and invited Jesus into the boat that all the danger dissipated. They instantly went from rowing to resting on the opposite shore. All because Jesus said, “It is I.”
Are you in a difficult, even treacherous situation today? Are you doubting God’s wisdom in allowing awful things to happen? If so, remember that your life, my life, will not be all smooth sailing. Remember too, that your sovereign God is the one who stirs up the very waters He sends you into. And remember the words on that little bedroom plaque: ‘Dear God, my little boat and I are on your open sea; please guide us safely through the waves, my little boat and me’. Invite Jesus to step into your boat today and let Him take you from rowing to resting, from worry to wonder, from doubts to devotion to the One who simply says, “Don’t be afraid, it is I.”
© Joni and Friends
