What To Do When It Feels Like Jesus Is Passing You By

I sat down on my couch with my coffee to read my Bible. The bright sun cast shadows through the blinds of my living room, my baby crawled up on my lap and the Lord showed me something I can't keep to myself.

I'm reading through Mark since our Pastor is preaching from this book for our churches 'Savage Jesus' series. (Which has been one of my very favorite sermon series' of all times, but then, aren't they all?! Check it out here!)

Anyway, I got to Mark 6:48. The very last sentence in that verse says, 'And [Jesus] was about to pass by them.' That sentence was extremely uncomfortable for me to read.

See, the disciples are exhausted from life and ministry. Jesus sent them off in a boat ahead of Him so He could go to the hills to pray. It's the middle of the night, it's pitch black and storming, and they're in the middle of the sea. This wasn't just any old storm. Some of these guys were fishermen, they were used to storms. In this particular storm though, the Bible says that 'they were troubled and tormented in their rowing.'

I may not have ever been in a boat in the middle of the sea in a treacherous storm but I have found myself facing storms in life that I thought were going to take me out. One of which occurred shortly after this picture was taken.

I remember so vividly walking to the truck on that cool, crisp day at the end of November 2016. My husband was carrying our fourth babe (who was seven months old). Christmas just around the corner. We got to the truck and my husband paused for a moment and then proceeded to tell me that in four short weeks he wasn't going to have a job.

Those words stung my soul.

I was so confused. I felt like we had done what we were called to do. We moved states away from everyone and everything we knew with four kids 5 and under. We were being obedient to what the Lord was telling us to do. We were trying to make sense of it, I knew God was faithful, but I felt abandoned. I was so angry, so confused, and so heartbroken I just wanted to cuss. Instead, I cried.

Have you ever been there? Tired, but doing what you feel like you're supposed to do. Then comes a storm that is completely out of your control but seems to be controlling you. The kind you can't handle on your own; maybe it's unemployment, maybe it's a job transition, marital strife or divorce. Maybe it's health issues or family drama. Maybe it's the decisions your children are making that you know aren't best.

Maybe the disciples felt the same way? They were doing what Jesus told them to do; not what they thought they were supposed to do but what Jesus in the flesh literally told them to do. And they were doing the best they could. But they were exhausted. They were in the middle of the sea, in the middle of the night, and they didn't think they were going to make it.

Plot twist: Here comes Jesus walking on the water. Now they're not only troubled and tormented by the storm and don't think they're going to make it, but they're terrified of Jesus, who they've misidentified as a ghost.

Cue Mark 6:48 where '[Jesus] was about to pass by them'.

Really Jesus? Your disciples are horrified and you're about to pass by them? When I read this it didn't make any sense to me but I absolutely related to the feeling. You know? The one where you're in distress and it feels like He's passing you right by.

Hey God, I'm still here, doing what I feel like I'm supposed to do, trying to make the most of the middle. You said you would work all things together for my good, but I sure don't see it. I've been rowing for four miles in this massive storm with no end in sight, I'm tired and I'm pretty sure it's over.

'But immediately He talked with them and said, Take heart! I AM! Stop being alarmed and afraid.' (Mark 6:50)

Woah! Did you feel that thing rise up on the inside of you when you read that? That's called hope. Just when they couldn't go any further, just when exhaustion was setting in and they were about to give up, just when they couldn't take anymore and it seemed Jesus was going to pass right by them He showed up. Read it again!

'Take heart! I AM! Stop being alarmed and afraid.'

In other words, God's got this! Whatever we need, HE IS! Don't be scared!

Then Jesus got in the boat with them, and the wind stopped. I love this line from the Amplified translation, the wind 'sank to rest as if exhausted by its own beating.'

What an incredible reminder of who controls the storm that seems to be controlling us.

I AM does.

Six months after my husband's life-sucking announcement he was offered the job that the Lord had intended us to have from the beginning. Without that stormy season of our lives, we would not be in the position we are in now spiritually, personally or professionally. That season was one of uncomfortable growth, soul searching, and faith-testing. Since we're on the other side of the sea I can honestly say that I wouldn't change that storm for anything. I would not have been prepared for our season of life now had it not been for our experience then.

If you're not in the middle of a storm now, I hate to say it but one day you will be. When you find yourself there I hope you'll see the storm as an invitation to trust God at a deeper level. I hope that your eyes will be opened to see His love for you and you rest assured knowing that God works all things together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. I hope through it all you allow Him to reveal to you His true character. HE IS!

If you are experiencing a storm, I know it's easier said than done, but I challenge you to study, possess, and rest in His promises. (I don't know about you, but the rest part is especially hard for me, I am continually figuring out what this looks like.) Some things I do know though, His promises are yes and amen. He has plans to prosper you. You can actually be still while He fights for you. Listen while He guides you. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. Have faith, your miracle is on the way. (Listen here for an incredible sermon by Pastor Steven Furtick about trusting God's timing.)

Praying and believing that your best is yet to come.

Christmas 2016