AtomHave a Boat Ready
“Jesus departed with his disciples to the sea, and a great multitude from Galilee followed him…he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him…” Mark 3:7-9
A few weeks ago in my devotions, the writer suggested that we should all “have a boat ready” as Jesus did…
“He told his disciples to have a boat ready…” A few weeks ago in my devotions, the writer suggested that we should all “have a boat ready” as Jesus did – that we should all have a place of escape and refreshment, both physically and spiritually.
Those who spend time on the lake or by the lake understand the refreshment that can come from being by the water – whether you fish or boat or sail or canoe or kayak…or whether you simply sit on the dock with your feet in the water (better in August than October). There is something calming and refreshing that can happen by the water. So, do you have a boat ready?
My “canoe crew” reflected upon this as we made our annual trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness last week. We canoed, we fished, we laughed, we ate way too much, and we spent a good bit of time around the campfire drinking coffee (duh!) and reflecting on faith and life. In so doing we looked at some of the stories in the Bible where Jesus also was on the lake or by the lake, sometimes teaching and healing, and other times just hanging out with his disciples and getting away from the crowds. On the lake he rested (“Jesus was asleep in the bow”); he guided (“put your nets out on the other side of the boat”); he fixed shore lunch (“they saw a charcoal fire there with fish on it, and bread”); he invited faith (“step out of the boat, Peter”); and he revealed himself as God’s Son (“Speaking to the wind and the waves he said, ‘Peace, be still.’”). When you look even a little you find that the lake and the fishing and the time with his disciples show up again and again – probably because like any good fishing trip, memories are made and sometimes lives are changed. And maybe because Jesus has a better chance to speak to our hearts when we’re “away” and our heads and lives aren’t quite so crowded.
Anyway…the coffee was strong this year (did I mention that Rick Kratzke was on the trip?), the weather was good if a bit windy, and the fishing was amazing (can you say, “Ten pound walleye?!”) But the best part was the time away with friends (the “community of saints,” as Lynn Hummel reminded us), the slowing down of the pace, and the opportunity to reflect on not only God’s good gifts of creation, but also the promise that Jesus is with us whether the waters be calm or stormy. (Remember, “Peace, be still” was spoken because even Jesus’ disciples do not journey storm free!)
So, back to my first question…do you have a boat ready…a place to slip away to for refreshment when life crowds in? Jesus did. And I believe he would encourage us to have the same, whether an actual boat or just a place or to get away to rest and to listen. If Jesus needed such a time, don’t we?
See you in worship!
Pastor Wade
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