After my recent trip to Syracuse, Indiana, I’m reminded of how restorative rest truly is. There's a message in everything if you allow it to speak to you.
Early one morning, I had the awesome opportunity to ride a speedboat and as we were on the water, I began to breach new insights. The texture of the terrain itself was very distinct from the normalcy of land.
Our captain, affectionately referred to as Cap, urged and ushered us out to the boat early as he weighed the rhythm of the wind, knowing that the waves blew a bit more gently at the onset of the day.
For context, the tone of the trip was set when my friend David said it was a spiritual retreat, so from that point on I was open and expectant of the LORD moving through and around us on this occasion.
Built for the Bump
Experiencing the buoyancy of a boat was such a revelatory experience. Climbing into the back of the boat, I settled into a seat. Secured by nothing more than a rope used to dock the boat, I was officially out there on faith. I realized how much symbols of security like belts can really numb our sense of necessity in God. If not for His hand on our lives, we wouldn't really be secure and safe, now would we ? Thus I buckled myself in prayer as we started on our way.
As we began the ride, I felt the violent rush of wind dashing past my face, coursing through my clothes. Gripping tightly to the handle to my left, I let off a shout of joy. This was exilileraitng. Soon the boat stood still in the middle of the lake and Cap faced the three of us, extending an invitation to drive the boat. First, he explained the rules of the road and we commenced. Eventually, my turn came around and it was on.
To drive the boat and ride the waves, you have to hit the wave at a certain angle. As I accelerated, the boat began to burst with speed, slashing through the water with a gradual bounce and bump amidst ever-changing waves. Each bump deterred me (not wanting to break this man's boat), I slowed my role similar to how I would approach a speedbump on the street. But when Cap drove, he was in such control, he responded well to the waves. When the captain drove I realized how not only was I calm and comfortable, but the bump was fun, from the backseat.
This was a metaphor for life. When God is the one leading you, there's nothing to worry about. Yes it can feel uncomfortable being without a belt, but he's got a life jacket in the back if you need it. Jesus even walked on water (Matthew 14:22-33) which shows us the distance in which God will go to meet us where we are.
Stepping into the driver's seat you can feel the weight of the ship. You don't wanna be the reason people get hurt. I've been there in life. I've tried it my way and I still stray sometimes, but when I made Jesus LORD over my life, I gave him the control He rightfully deserves, because He is the best person for the job. Not only that but when you're filled with the truth about God you have access to the greater truth about yourself. Not only that, but God will encourage and empower you to remind you that you are built for every bump you may face in life. So keep it pushing cuz no temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind (1 Corinthians 10:13).
The One In Charge
Being on the water can truly do wonders for our spiritual comprehension. Faith took on a whole new meaning when I was "far from the peaceful shore". It takes a great deal of faith to believe that God will bring you back to dry land and in one piece. We always hear people talking about how they're in a storm, but this experience showed me I really don't even know what a storm is. My storms have been in the shelter of a car or crib, but to be "in the elements" in the belly of the beast is a vastly different context with which we conceptualize what a strom is. I thought about Jonah 1:1-16 when he was in the midst of a mighty tempest at sea and how distressed the men on that ship were. There are so many uncertainties at sea. Winds can change, water levels can change, and things aren't always in your control. But then I began to think about Jesus in Mark 4:35-41 and how He rebuked the wind and quitted the squall. It dawned on me that through the lens of both passages, the One who has the power to stir the storm is the same One who can silence the storm. The One who creates certainly has the capacity to destroy, but it is largely dependent upon how we react to what He has told us. Jesus told the disciples "let us go over to the other side". God told Jonah in "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me". Jonah fled and the disciples were distressed.
I heard the question posed simply like this before, are we following or are we fleeing? In light of everything we're witnessing today, our world must ask itself this same question while having the humility to reckon with the reality of the answer.
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