I don’t know what’s been happening for you, but it has been an exceptionally busy and demanding season in my life.
Anyone else experiencing this? If not now, I’m sure you have before and will again!
Sometimes life just shifts into another gear and you find yourself in a whirlwind of activity and demands.
The temptation when you get into these kinds of seasons is to drop some things that are essential for keeping you afloat. What are the things that you need to keep up with in order to stay in sync with God and ride the waves of life without getting sucked down into the water?
There’s a passage of Scripture that comes to mind in Matthew 14, beginning in v. 22 ending with v. 33. In it are many keys to staying in-sync with the Lord so you can stay afloat instead of sinking.
In this passage, Jesus has just multiplied a few loaves and couple of fish to feed 5000 people! Totally amazing and very demanding. I’m sure he was absolutely spent! He sends his weary disciples away on a boat while he pulls away to a mountain.
What does he do on that mountain? “After he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray…” Matt. 14:23
He pulls away by himself for solitude and prayer. This is the son of God we’re talking about! Even he needed solitude and prayer to be refreshed, refueled and to get synced-up with his Father. How much more do we need that in the middle of our demanding seasons?
What happens next? The disciples are out on the boat a long way from land. Then the waves start kicking up. Just as that happens, Jesus comes to them walking on the sea! They were already spooked by the winds and waves, but who on earth is that walking on the water toward them?
“And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea, But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, ‘It is a ghost!’ and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid.'” Matthew 14:25-27
What does this mean for us? When the waves and winds start kicking up, we can easily ‘get spooked’ and not recognize Jesus is right there, with us, walking towards us. So what do we do in this kind of situation? Here’s what I do: 1.) Take several deep breaths to quiet myself. 2.) Don’t fret, but remember all the times God has come through for you in the past, and be grateful for those times – remember that just as he came through for you then, he will also do so now. 3.) Then, after you have calmed yourself and gratefully remembered His faithfulness, listen for His voice in response. When you hear his voice, his peace comes upon you and you know everything is going to be alright.
See, it’s as easy as 1,2,3!
Here’s what happens next. Peter wants to be sure it’s Jesus, so he says “if it’s you, command me to come to you on the water.” And Jesus said, “Come.”
So Peter does. “So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.” Matthew 14:29
He did it! He heard the Lord’s voice and just stepped out in faith to move towards him. Amazing! I think he synced up with Jesus by fixing his eyes on him, believing his voice when he said ‘Come’ and syncing up his thoughts with Jesus’ thoughts – ‘If he can do it, I can do it with him’.
Peter was “In-Sync” and so he didn’t sink!
Most of us know what happens next. “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord save me.'” Matthew 14:30
When Peter got out of sync, he began to sink!
Since Jesus is the faithful friend and God that he is, of course he reached out his hand immediately and took hold of Peter’s hand and pulled him up out of the water. But he also challenged Peter by saying, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31
I wanted to share these thoughts with you today to encourage you when you are in the midst of busy, demanding times (which are often!), this story provides the help you need!
If you stay in sync, you won’t sink!
Remember:
*Take the time to pull away in solitude and pray.
*Instead of looking at the winds and waves and getting spooked, take some deep breaths to calm.
*Then remember all the times the Lord has come through for you in the past and be grateful for them.
*Listen for his voice in response to your grateful remembrance of his faithfulness.
*Believe He is with you, fix your eyes on him, believe his voice, sync up your thoughts with his, and take a step toward him.
*If you lose sync, send up an SOS and he will help you!
Don’t worry about being perfect, we’re all in the same boat! (pun intended)
I became a coach after going through the worst storm in my life. I’ve learned how to stay in-sync with Jesus in the best of times and the worst of times, and I make sure the things I’ve shared today are a part of all my coaching.
My website has lots of resources for you to help you grow as a person and in your relationship with God. I have several options for coaching as well that you can check out there.
With love and prayers,
Terri