Reach Out

I woke with a chorus I remember from what feels like a lifetime ago, Reach Out and Touch the LORD. I’ve closed this post with it.

Then I thought of a portion of scripture from Mark 6.

⁴⁵ And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.

⁴⁶ And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.

⁴⁷ And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.

⁴⁸ And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.

Jesus had compelled them to go to the other side. And there they were, on what was normally a two hour trip, still fighting the elements, when Jesus came walking on the water to them somewhere between 3-6 a.m. Now if I had left at sundown as they had, and still found myself straining for all I was worth, I will confess that I might have turned around and went back to shore. It is to their credit that they toiled and fought with all their might to get to where Jesus told them to go. He gave them an edict and they would fulfill it come hell or high water.

Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? You know that you know that you know that you are doing the will of God yet you find yourself in the center of a tempest. Consider again Mary, mother of Jesus. Mary was highly favored by God and yet look at the price she paid to fulfill His calling and purpose for her life. Favor is expensive. Favor is given because we say yes to Jesus and sometimes saying yes to Jesus again will cost the favor we just obtained. Add to that, not everyone is happy with God showing us favor.

The disciples were favored. They were handpicked by Jesus. They were His closest friends. And being such put them in some awkward places and positions. This, in the middle of the Sea of Galilee, is one of them. How favored do you think they felt in that moment? Were they glad to be chosen by Him? Apparently they knew He loved them, and they in turn loved Him enough to continue to struggle to do His will, but that didn’t make their mission easy.

And where was Jesus? He wasn’t at the Ritz; He went to a mountain to pray. He was outdoors, same as the disciples. He knew what was going on and He was responsible for them being where they were. Why did He take so long going to them? I don’t know. Maybe He was hoping they’d take courage since they had just witnessed the miraculous feeding of the 5,000. Besides that, He had stilled the storm in Mark 4:35-41. Maybe He hoped they’d remember that and draw strength from it, and trust that He would deliver them. Eventually, He did go to them, and though it probably felt like an eternity to the disciples, He wasn’t late.

“…and would have passed by them.”

Why? I don’t know. Again, perhaps it was a testing of their faith. God answers prayer and He’s entitled to answer prayer anyway He sees fit. In this case, they were tested again because they thought what they were seeing was a spirit on the water and it only added to their consternation. When we are in the midst of the tempest, and we are trusting the LORD to answer our prayers, are we willing to be humble enough to let Him answer as He sees fit? We must continue to look for Him in our midst. He is greater than the thing that threatens to drown us but He won’t force Himself on us. Will we recognize Him when He comes and call out to Him? You know, there were times when Bob was angry with me for not helping him with ________, fill in the blank. I told him I would have helped had I known but I’m not a mind reader — all he had to do was ask.

Maybe you are in “that place”. You know that you are the favored of God. You are doing His bidding. Then out of nowhere, there it is, the tempest. Will you continue to look for Him and call out to Him when He comes?

Mark 6:

⁵³ And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore.

⁵⁴ And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him,

⁵⁵ And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.

⁵⁶ And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.

Is the struggle worth it? Is it worth it to continue to trust the LORD? Is it worth it to continue to look for Jesus in the midst of us, even if His way be unfamiliar to us? Ask Jesus: He sent the disciples on what appeared to be an impossible mission and then showed up. Ask the disciples: they experienced His salvation and deliverance. Ask the people who were on the other side: they were made whole. The struggles we face, and the victories that come after, are meant to be like stones in a pond; they are meant to ripple. They are meant to encourage others who are in the tempest to trust Jesus, to continue to look for Him, to cry out to Him, and ultimately get to the other side so wholeness is multiplied again and again and again.

Thou highly favored one, will you join me in peering beyond the tempest to look for our Deliverer? To see what magnificent way He will come? To call out to Him? To be saved? To spread the Word to others so that when we have reached the other side they may be made whole? I hope so.

LORD, there are readers hurting today. The tempest is threatening to swallow some of them whole; may they continue to look for You. There are others still who see You but don’t recognize You beyond their preconceived notions as to how You will answer; may they humble themselves and may You give them eyes to see. There are those who are afraid to cry out; help them find their voice in their time of need. There are those still who are on the other side; may they share their miracle with others so that when they come to Jesus they may be made whole .

We need You, Jesus, in all stages and all phases. May we never forget that. And may You be glorified. Amen.