There is no victory without a battle, no testimony without a test, and nobody gets a miracle without needing one. For so many of us (myself included) we are surprised when we find ourselves in situations that can only be worked out with God’s supernatural intervention. I personally like it a lot better when I get to be a part of someone else’s miracle. Every time a person shares an amazing story of the Lord’s intervention into some impossible situation, I rejoice with them, but I also find myself cringing inside because I know what it is like to need a miracle for some time before you actually receive one. The fact is, that somewhere between God’s promise and God’s provision there is something called God’s process. I have discovered that this process is not always a yellow brick road, or a crystal covered sea, but more often it seems to be better characterized by a storm engulfed ship, looking to fulfill it’s mission of getting to the other side of the sea. Check out this story and tell me if this doesn’t remind you of some of the circumstance in your life?
Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida, while He Himself was sending the crowd away. After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray. When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them. But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.” Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished, for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened (Mark 6:45-52)
A few things stand out to me in this voyage account. First of all, even though the boys are on God’s mission and obeying His voice they are still being resisted by a storm. I really identify with this. I personally feel like the Lord has given my family some amazing promises but somehow there is a huge storm over our lives. This blizzard seems to be trying to kill us relationally, spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically.
The next thing that sticks out to me like a sore thumb is the fact that, although His best friends are straining at the oars, Jesus still intends to pass them by! I am just beginning to understand that God isn’t moved by our hard work. He is not impressed by the efforts of men, nor does he feel obligated to respond to our straining. Yikes! Too often I am trying to work myself out of a hard situation instead of faithing it. I have come to the terrible realization that I frequently trust myself or other people more than God. Man…this is hard to admit.
Another thing that I see is that Jesus appeared to them as a terrifying ghost and then, only when they cried out, did he come and help them. I think the point is that sometimes the answer we need seems scary at first until the Lord reveals Himself in it.
My final observation is that the disciple’s hearts were called “hardened” because they didn’t view their current situation with the last miracle in mind. Oh boy…do I understand that one! I have had the privilege of seeing and/or being a part of so many miracles over the years, that you would think I would be full of faith for the season I find myself in right now. But instead, I often feel scared, terrified, or stressed out by the circumstances we are facing as a family and a movement. My heart simply can’t remain hard. I must soften it with the oil of His testimonies, the passion of His presence, and the power of His Spirit that is supposed to be at work in me. How about you?
If we are going to live in victory we must remind ourselves of our supernatural history, our prophetic destiny, and the process of endurance that paves the way to the palace of His purposes in us and through us. I am convinced that Jesus often sends us to “the other side” so that He can deal with our inside.
Engulfed In His Promises,
Kris
