Mark 6:47-48
I
don’t know the last time you watched an infant begin to sit, crawl, stand,
scoot, or walk. Every parent is torn between providing safety and allowing
growth. They want to jump in, but they want to see if they can make it on their
own. When they do fall, healthy parents provide comfort, safety and security,
and then encouragement to give it another try. One fall does not stop the
growth process.
In
many areas of life we allow failure. Learning just about any skill requires
failure, multiple tries, hard work, concentration, and tenacity. No one who
excels at their trade becomes the best overnight. Even those with natural gifts
and abilities must practice. The greatest musicians in the world don’t pick up
their instrument at age 4 and go to Carnagie Hall the next day. Gold Medal
winners didn’t decide the day before their competition to become an Olympic
Gold Medalist.
Spiritual
growth requires struggle as well. Our faith must be tested, given an
opportunity to be used in difficult situations. No one who lives a life close
to the LORD can expect a lack of difficulties. In fact, I think the closer we
are, the more difficult the struggles can be. We have been tested and we
passed, at least so far.
The
disciples have been dismissed from the crowds and told to take a boat across to
their next destination. Jesus stays behind and ties up the loose ends after the
5000 had been fed. I guess there were a few dishes to wash!
And
now they find themselves in the middle of the lake rowing against the wind. I
don’t know if you have ever been in a boat rowing against the wind, but it can
be very discouraging. It seems the harder you row, the more the bow rises and
catches the wind, pushing you further back. It can feel very defeating as you
row and make little or no progress. Sometimes you even lose ground despite all
your effort.
Now
put yourself in the middle of a large lake, in the middle of the night. There
are few if any lights along the shore. Remember, this is before electricity.
The shoreline would have only been visible if the moonlight had been bright
enough. You are already tired from a long day of business and service. Jesus
has had you walking around in a crowd of 5000, serving bread and fish and
gathering large baskets of leftovers.
Jesus
knows you are struggling and He is going to pass you by. He has the power to
make a real difference in that moment, and He is going to choose to leave you
in the struggle.
Maybe
Jesus is allowing you to stay in your struggle despite the intensity of that
struggle. And I don’t know why. I have to trust that the current struggle is
preparing me for some future triumphs. There is a lesson to be learned in the
struggle, just as there is a lesson to be learned in the abundance of the
twelve baskets full of leftovers. Learn the lesson in the abundance and in the
want. Both lessons are important.