Many years ago, we visited my parents while holidaying at a small seaside town in Queensland. While there, we spent the afternoon by the bay. We all enjoyed a leisurely spring afternoon swim, and towards sunset, my mum decided to go for a relaxing row in the dinghy by herself.
With the outgoing tide, it wasn’t long before she was a fair way out. Dad was keeping an eye on her and she seemed like she was having a great time, until we realised she was calling out to us. She was quite frantic by this stage. Apparently she had been calling for some time, but because she was so far away, we couldn’t hear her.
Apparent trouble
Her paddling didn’t seem to be doing much, and with the sun beginning to set, she was getting worried. The boat was being drawn further and further out and Mum was not able to direct the boat back into shore.
As she sat in the boat calling for help, not daring to stand up incase she fell into the water, she couldn’t believe her eyes when the men of our family began walking out to her—seemingly on water! When they arrived at the boat, they said, “Jenny, get out of the boat and walk.” Incredible! This must be a miracle!
What she hadn’t realised, however, was that there was a long sandbar that reached all the way out as far as she had rowed, and at any time, she could have stepped out of the boat and pulled it back to shore.
As funny as it was, it got me thinking. Sometimes in life, we are thrust into difficult situations and our first inclination is to fret. “Help! We’re all going to die!” (Or maybe not to that extreme).
With Christ in my vessel…
Matthew chapter 8 verses 23-27 tells us about a time when Jesus sailed with the disciples in a boat. A great storm arose on the sea, so violent that the boat was being swamped by the waves and the disciples were in fear for their lives.
While the turmoil happened all around them, Jesus slept. Completely peaceful. When he was woken by the fear-stricken disciples, he asked why they were afraid? After all, God in human form was in the boat with them!
Jesus, having full authority over everything, ‘rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm’ (verse 26).
I was reminded lately of a song from my childhood, you may remember it: “With Christ in my vessel I can smile at the storm, smile at the storm, smile at the storm… as we go sailing home.”
This was the entirety of the lyrics for the song, but I believe there is a reason for that. When you think about who Christ is—the powerful, almighty, sovereign, Saviour, Redeemer, Creator, Everlasting Father, maker of heaven and earth, creator of all life…and I could go on and on—when we remember who He Is, then why do we ever need to worry!
For when Jesus rose to heaven, he sent his spirit to dwell within us, so we literally have the spirit of Christ within our vessel—within us!
Just ponder on that for—well, forever. I’m not even sure how completely our minds can appreciate or comprehend this wonderful gift we have been given. At least in part to begin with, then increasingly as it is revealed. But if we can grasp it, if we can understand that the presence of God is within us, how wonderful and powerful the people of God would be on this earth!
Jesus says in John chapter 14 verses 12-14: ‘Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.’
So, next time you feel the waves crashing in around you, remember: With Christ in my vessel, I can smile at the storm! He’s got a plan, he has the power, and all we need to do is ask—He is able to calm the storm.
Rebecca and her husband have four children and live on the Sunshine Coast, Australia. Rebecca writes for various publications including print, online and commercial. She is the author of two books: ‘First to Forty’ and ‘Pizza and Choir’. For more information you can find Rebecca at: http://www.rebeccamoore.life, Facebook: Rebecca Moore - Author, Instagram: rebeccamoore_author
Rebecca Moore's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/rebecca-moore.html