Mark 4:35
Do
you ever feel that you or someone you know is just drifting through life
without a real purpose or direction? When a plan turns off course unexpectedly,
those who track the plans wonder what is happening. Or maybe someone is
drifting across the lane lines while they are driving. Are they texting? Drunk?
High? Impaired is some way? Or maybe they are just driving so slowly that it is
backing up traffic. Those who live in south Florida have gotten used to the
slow and deliberate drivers.
Our
society is noticing that young people are taking longer in life to find their
purpose and get started working on it. They are staying at home much longer,
years longer than ever before. And it is not just the poor economic outlook
that keeps them at home. Even before the downturn in the economy, this failure
to launch became a topic of serious discussion. They certainly seemed to lack
purpose in their lives.
Jesus
has finished a hard day. He has been with the crowds that day. We don’t know
exactly what preceded that evening’s events, but we do know he falls asleep in
the boat as they are crossing the lake. But how did they get in the middle of
that storm? Jesus sent them there. He said they needed to go to the other side
of the lake. We don’t know if there is any other discussion or explanation.
The
other side is a curious place. It seems as though there was plenty of ministry
with the crowds He was with already. Why go across the lake? Certainly part of
what drives Him across the lake to the other side is the fact that during His
earthly ministry He was limited to being in one place at one time. There
certainly was no capability to telecast using the non-existent satellites and
video equipment. He could only minister in one place at one time.
As
we read Mark’s narrative we find that He goes from the crowds who want to hear
what He has to say to see a man who lives in the tombs and is demon possessed
who really doesn’t want anything to do with anyone. Does He cross the sea to
help this one man?
Notice that Jesus’ purpose involves the whole
group. They are with Jesus and the crowds and He invites them to go to the
other side. He has a purpose for them as well on the other side.
Sometimes
God calls us to go into an “other side” experience. We leave the crowds, the
familiar, the comfortable, and have to adjust to a totally new life. It can be
driven by illness, relationship trouble, job change, family related issues, phase
of life, or any number of other things. But when you get there you realize you
are on the “other side.”
Jesus
has a purpose for you on the “other side.” Life is a series of events, each one
having a beginning, middle and ending. The “other side” represents the opportunity
to find the LORD’s purpose in your life in this new circumstance. You may not
know the details of the purpose, but be assured, if Jesus is with you, there is
a purpose in you being there. Jesus came to do the Father’s will, and now as His
followers, we are here to do His will, even on the “other side.”