That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”
Mark 4:35 NIV
Over the next several days of posts I want to walk through a Scripture that has shaped my life over the years. I preached on this passage recently. You can listen or watch that message HERE and clicking on either Audio or Video Podcasts. I intend to walk through this familiar passage verse by verse and share my thoughts along the way. Feel free to add your own as we learn together.
Jesus told the disciples to get in the boat. This was His idea. I often have to remind myself that Jesus was always purposeful. Even in His moments of play, Jesus was keeping the bigger picture of His role as a disciple-maker in mind. He never let go of the fact that He was on earth a short time with an intended objective. If I want to be like Jesus, I must continue to be purposeful with how I live my life.
The phrase “to the other side” is one that reminds me where Jesus is attempting to take me. The other side is where God’s glory shines brightest. It’s where I can fully and completely, even if only for a brief moment, know that Jesus is who He says He is and that He can and will do what He says He will do. Going to “the other side” develops my faith.
Regardless of your situation today, no matter how grim it may appear, even if you have almost given up, Jesus wants to take you to the other side. Even if everything is going well in your life today, He wants to do something new with your faith. He wants to build a deeper trust in Himself.
Numerous times in my life I have sensed God was doing something new in me or around me. At times it has taken months to figure our what He was up to at the time, but every time I have found that if I am patient, obedient to what I know to do and follow His lead, He has delivered me safely and securely to the other side. Sadly, I can equally look back at times where I resisted His leading and missed out on what He was trying to do in and through me.
My prayer today is to always be willing to trust and follow Him to the other side. Do you sense God’s stirring in you to take you somewhere? Will you follow?
woops pressed the wrong button LOL I have just begun an adventure…your words are a wonderful encouragement and confirmation…I can’t wait to read the rest of your thoughts on this passage!
http://michellegeorge.wordpress.com/adventure/
Michelle George’s last blog post..The fasting bit….
Oooh this is terrific timing!
Thanks for the reminder Ron. I really want to go where He leads, but sometimes I am afraid to get in the boat… and it is in those times I end up all wet. Inspiring post.
Mac