Was it always clear sailing for even the disciples who walked and talked with Jesus every day? No.
In fact, at the conclusion of the feeding of the 5,000 recorded in John 6, the disciples got into their boat and started to row back across the lake. A major storm rolled in and after 2-3 miles of rowing in the storm, they saw Jesus walking on the water toward them. He called out “Don’t be afraid. I am here.”
Notice what He didn’t say this time. He didn’t say to the storm “Peace. Be still.” He could have, but he didn’t. Why? Perhaps it was so that the disciples could experience His presence in the storm even when most of all they would have probably preferred His miracle to calm the storm. There was something that He had for them to learn about rising above a storm even while struggling through it….
When we choose to “let Jesus in the boat” we are learning to trust and obey. In doing so, we are leaning into the calculus of faith where we experience God’s presence in the midst of our circumstances.
So, what is that you are facing today as you, like Philip, survey the landscape from the hillside of your soul? What are you facing that is tempting you to say, “There is no way to solve this problem”? A relationship, a challenge in your work, a challenge with your health or the health of someone you love?
Do we, like Philip forget that we are standing next to the LORD of the universe?
And that He has a perspective on our problem that could be a game changer either in how it is resolved or in how we are changed as we experience His presence in the midst of the challenge.
All He asks is that we trust and obey.
This post is adapted from a chapel message President Haye gave to Patrick Henry College students.
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