WATCHWORD:
21 About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children! 22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. 24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” 27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” Matthew 14:21-27
Meditation:
Skydiving with Jesus
In a recent devotional on the Christian website Crosswalk, Barb Roose recounts an experience that brought her face to face with the question, what would we risk for our faith, for Jesus? In a staff meeting exercise, she was given two choices: Pet a tarantula or jump out of an airplane. Since she is afraid of spiders, she picked jumping out of an airplane.
She explains that at the airport, the training staff taught the basics of how to jump and how parachutes worked. All good information but it didn’t quell the thousands of nervous butterflies skydiving in her stomach. It helped to know that the experienced jump instructor would be present and tethered to her during the jump. Would you have done that? Would you skydive with Jesus?
Does it ever feel a bit like our walk with Christ takes us way out of our comfort zone? I recall a saying that religion is easy, but faith, that’s hard. I’ve thought about that from time to time. Doing the right thing is not always the thing we want to do, and, yes, sometimes it is hard. And there are times when doing the right thing may seem as challenging as skydiving.
We are called to follow the road less travelled, to love others as Jesus loves us. We knew that commandment would require us to do those things which test us. How can we be Jesus to others, if we stay in our own pathway, following our own will instead of His?
Remember the challenge, “What would you dare, if you knew you could not fail?” You are the brother/sister to the invincible Jesus, the Christ, the Creator, the Maker of all things. That, friends, should give us peace. We are tethered to Christ! So, would you skydive with Jesus? Yes? So be it.
Today’s Lenten Passage to Ponder:
Acts 10:2: He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God.
Daily Scripture passages through next Tuesday:
Wednesday, Romans 5:8 • Thursday, John 3:16 • Friday, Mark 15:3 • Saturday, Psalm 110:1, Daniel 7:13 • Monday, Romans 10:6-7 • Tuesday, Micah 7:8
Closing Prayer:
Lord, I want to celebrate this season with the whole family of God. Show me ways we can draw near to you together this year in worship and adoration, as well as celebration and joy. Amen.
P.S. Sharing my excitement:
Yes, I am excited. My book, Middle of Nowhere, is available today, March 22, through Amazon and other bookstore outlets. Pardon my pride, when I say this is a fun, mystery story with a spiritual twist. Here is one more taste — Nudged along by mysterious happenings and encounters with eccentric characters in remote valleys of the Bighorn Basin, the couple find themselves in an abandoned village. They discover a sealed gold mine with a tragic history, and a mysterious, deserted chapel. Little do they know that throughout all of their adventures and discoveries, they are being observed by an unseen spiritual presence.
