A 30-year-old Bulgarian sailor was trying to reach America from the coast of South West England in a 14 feet dinghy (a type of small boat often carried or towed for use as a ship's boat by a larger vessel). He had no life jacket, no lights, and only had a local map. He got seasick and got caught in the rough sea only five miles off the coast in an attempt to sail 3,000 miles to America. His American dream was going to be scuttled, before it barely started.
Jesus’ disciples were in a dinghy of fear just like the Bulgarian sailor. At Jesus’ instruction, they had gone into the boat to go ahead of Him to the other side. But as they got farther into the sea, the wind became contrary threatening to sink them. Panicky, they struggled and grappled for their lives. When Jesus showed up, their fear multiplied as they took Him for a ghost, because He walked on the water.
Don’t our hearts get clutched by fear, at the slightest rocking of our boat? Don’t our hearts pound with trepidation, when we get caught in stormy circumstances? We forget quickly who we are and whose we are. We don’t recall God’s assurance: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)
What are you afraid of? What is threatening to sink your boat? The bills are rising, you are out of a job, circumstances in your life are uncertain. Be calm, your circumstances can’t be more real than God’s assurances to you. John said, if you are afraid, it’s because you have not fully experienced His perfect love (1John 4:18). Right in the storm Jesus is present and calling you to “take courage” and come out of your dinghy of fear. So you can step over the rough sea of your life!
“There is no illusion greater than fear.” ― Lao Tzu
#sundayhomily
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