More thoughts about my boat

Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus.But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" When they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

Matthew 14:28-33

I keep hearing Jesus saying:  "Come."  The reading from Matthew won't let me go!   The message from last Sunday still echoes in my prayer this morning.  Perhaps it is because we are gearing up for shifting phases of ministry at Christ the Redeemer ELCA.

The reading contains so many images, so many sensations that relate to discipleship. In public ministry or the ministry of everyday vocation, stormy situations are always possible. In a tumult my limited human resources counsel me to conserve time, energy and investments of all kind.  But you, Jesus, approach on the horizon of my life's landscapes. My heart leaps as I recognize you, and my hopeful response, like Peter's, is to ask you to tell me to do something beyond human expectations--something miraculous!!!

And you do just that, don't you?

I'm an energetic, enthusiastic gal most of the time. Often if somebody asks me to do something I accomplish the tasks as quickly as humanly possible. (In fact, don't come back to me hours later and revise your request, because the deed will most likely be done. Confession: some of my rapid responses are motivated by the reality that if I don't act while things are on my mind they may recede into forgetfulness!)

So sometimes it does feel like I leap out of the boat of normalcy or predictable routine and walk onto the surface of a venture that is initially motivated by faith and trust. However, like Peter, there are times when this disciple realizes the magnitude of what is going on and my mind kicks in with thoughts of "What was I thinking?" I may begin to thrash about or even sink into a sea of confusion or doubts, fearing the unknown.

If I persist in trying to manage this on my own, I will surely flounder.

Thankfully my heart has tremendous influence over my actions, even when I am in the midst of confusion.

My heart cries out, "Lord, have mercy!  Lord help me!"

Then it happens...

The love and counsel of Christ is grasps me.  I experience Christ within me, beside me,  before me, on all sides.

The presence of Christ becomes the focus of my intentions -- not the logistics or magnitude of the challenges before me. Secure in Christ the inner frenzy disappears, and I can navigate the situation.  Furthermore, when I am "in" Christ the others in my boat benefit as well.

So what is the nature of your particular "boat"? It may be a job or a family or a lifestyle. It is the vehicle in which you travel through time and space. How is it being tossed about by situations? Where do you see Jesus approaching?  As the sea of change continues to move your boat along, can you discern how Christ is calling you to come to him even in the midst of daunting conditions?

Get out of the boat for a while. 

See how Christ is inviting you to step into something adventurous and unexpected SO THAT you may rely totally upon his hand for support and security.

The odds are good that he will place you back into the boat in a new way, with fresh insights and even greater faith that this is the Lord of the Sea who is with you in all times and in all places.