Seriously, when I read this one line of scripture during my morning prayer time, it spoke to me. It even pulled me back to read over a few more times. Every week Jesus and I share with you one single word to reflect on and a story, in the hopes to keep us both anchored to Jesus during our busy week. We also always finish the story with a song and chosen scripture, knitting everything together for our lesson. Lately, I’ve been reflecting, “Is it enough?” Then, when this one line of scripture took me for a loop, not just one word, I thought maybe Jesus is telling me to look deeper. Maybe He wants me to churn the waters, so to speak.
During our boat ownership years, I was never totally fearless being out on the water. For the most part, when enjoying our boat, the rivers were calm; but quick storms and windy conditions could appear at any moment. Just the sight of the weather conditions changing would also change my mood and turn me into what my husband would describe as a “white-knuckle boater.” So, when I read this verse, “He got into the boat and the wind died down,” I was transported back to all the times I allowed my panic and fears to try and sink by “boat.” AND I then recalled the times I remembered to invite Jesus onto my storm-tossed vessel and trusted Him to calm the waters (actually, to calm me). OMG – now reading that one scripture verse produced in me a true revelation!
Every day we allow both small and large fears and circumstances to affect our emotional reactions, our physical actions, and yes, most assuredly our words during so many stressful moments. Many times, in that fear, we make knee jerk decisions on how to handle our rough waters, many times making it worse. If you and I would just breath, and invite Jesus into our boat, trusting Him to calm the waters, our fears would not defeat us.
Don’t think I’m saying that you and I will not continue to face rough waters and may even be tossed about emotionally but recognizing that Jesus is always there to calm our minds and hearts, allows us to think more clearly, react to our situation differently and live to sail on calmer waters for another day.
So, this week, there is no one word. It’s one short, but powerful scripture, from Mark 6:51, to stay with you this week. Jesus is telling us, “When the waters get rough, and your own boat starts being tossed about, picture me sitting beside you in the storm, holding your hand and calming your world. “
From God's Lips 