waiting on the shore ...

i’m returning to john 6, and a portion of the passage that jumped out at me after writing monday night.

after feeding the 5,000 it says, “that evening Jesus’ disciples went down to the shore to wait for Him. but as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn’t come back, they got into the boat and headed across the lake toward capernaum. soon a gale swept down upon them, and the sea grew very rough. they had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. they were terrified, but he called out to them, “don’t be afraid. I am here!” then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination! (john 6:16-21)

how often are we just like the disciples. we are ready to cross over to the other side of our dreams, but instead of sticking with Jesus and staying about His business, we head down to the shore ahead of Him, waiting aimlessly. then things start getting dark. we wonder if Jesus is ever going to show up again. so we decide to cross over on our own, thinking we can do it without His help. unfortunately, this is usually when the storms arise in our lives and things start to get rough. we try and try in our own strength to get through the difficulties and to the other side, but with very little headway. and then Jesus shows up, right on time. of course, by this point, things feel so far gone that we’re afraid of what He will say or do. we’re ashamed of the mess we’ve gotten ourselves into. but Jesus, in His infinite kindness, graciously calms our fears and assures us of His presence. now we are more than ready to have Him in our boat. and now He is ready to bring us to the other side, free of turmoil and striving.

when we will learn that we can’t do it by ourselves? and why would we want to?

do you not know? have you not heard?
the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. (isaiah 40:28-29)

when we have this kind of power available to us, why would we ever try to do it in our own strength?

for thus says the LORD, ‘when seventy years have been completed for babylon, i will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. for I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’ (jeremiah 29:11)

this may be cliche, but it's true. He has good things for us ... if only we will wait on Him. you might feel like you’ve been waiting forever, but He has not forgotten about you. even if you can’t see what He’s doing, know that His ultimate purposes are being carried out, and that He is working to fulfill His good word to you.

THAT is definitely worth the wait ...