World Wind

“Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” (Mark 5:19)

If for a moment I conclude that God is far removed from my world, I need only skim a few pages of the Gospels to gather an altogether different story.

I find Jesus by the sea and in the fields, caring and loving, teaching and touching, healing and helping, giving and serving. By his actions Jesus proved he was approachable, reliable, compassionate. Where he traveled, wherever he turned, he affected and transformed lives, leaving them far better off than he found them.

He revealed the face and the heart of God; he is still about that task today.

The carpenter from Nazareth did not impress everyone. Some wandered off unaffected or perturbed. When I take him for granted, lock him into a box of my design, am less than amazed at his work and his ways, I imitate them. I have a propensity to be self-absorbed, when all the while he is front and center, dazzling and astonishing.

He wants to reveal himself in the ordinary places, in the cramped corners of my busy world; I am often oblivious.

He bends low and enters my sphere, seeking me out at sea level, at eye level, on level ground. He is Immanuel: God with me—God for me—God by my side. As the waters roar and foam, he climbs into the boat with me. When I foolishly presume that he is unaware, I join the disciples and accuse him unfairly: “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38). He speaks to me, as he commanded the weather all those years ago: “Peace. Be still!”

The wind ceased that day in Galilee and “there was great calm” (Mark 4:39). He still affects me just so.

Related Post

Eager

Eager

“And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.” (Luke 21:37-38) Actions Louder Than Words Like an...

read more
Tour Guide

Tour Guide

“For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” (Acts 1:17) “Treachery” is a ghastly word. It conjures up images of despicable actions with villainous intent. Judas comes quickly to mind. With a kiss reserved for...

read more
Beginning

Beginning

“But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple, in the fear of you.” (Psalm 5:7) As the day flutters open its eyelids, I step in accompanied by the wonder of beginning it...

read more

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Share This