Abandon Your Small Boat And Follow Jesus

Everaldo Dejesus (D.J.) - "The Fisherman"

“'Come,' he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus." Matt 14:29

In 2013, my husband and I had reserved airline tickets to go and visit our friends D.J. and Mikki in Puerto Rico. D.J. had terminal cancer and our hopes were to visit him one last time. We did not make it in time. He died a couple of days before our flight was scheduled. We continued with our planned trip to grieve with his family. 

Life in this world is quite short. But, Jesus calls us to a world; a Kingdom, that is everlasting. A Kingdom where there is no more death or suffering or pain. In the last two weeks, numerous friends have died. In this world, I will no longer see Ellie Varney; or Carol Jordan; my sister-in-law, Dawn Mattson; or my former supervisor CWO4 Bob Paris. I live too far away to be able to attend any funeral or memorial services. And, yes, I grieve our loss. Even while there is the hope that we find in Jesus Christ, grief is a natural reaction to such loss and it cannot be avoided. 

Jesus first called the disciples, James and John, out of their fishing boats to follow him. They dropped their nets and followed him immediately. They followed him, not only in this world; but, into the Kingdom of God.

When the disciples were in a boat fishing, they saw Jesus walking on water toward them. Peter got out of the boat to go to him. In this world, we are called to abandon our small boats; our egos, our false gods, our everything, to take up the cross and follow him. The seas may be rough that we tread upon; the way is not always easy; but, Jesus is with us to keep us from drowning. Even though we face death, Jesus is there to lead us into his glorious Kingdom.

May God grant you all comfort in the knowledge of the promise that all who believe inherit the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen

God's Peace - Pr. J