What a wonder… When turmoil is going on around you and when we choose to allow Jesus to climb on board, all the turmoil ceases!
Do we even stop to take a moment and assess our circumstances when we get to that intense “I can’t handle this” moment and when we ask Jesus to step in and sort it, then it all turns around?
We are at the start of the Christmas Season, and some would call it the “Silly Season” as that appears to be when everyone around us changes and goes a little ‘crazy’!
Don’t know why but it always seems to start on 1st December!
As much as we know we need to have a different attitude and be loving, kind, forgiving – when does it show?
There are many around us right now that need to see our lights shine the way Jesus would want them to be shining. Being what He called us to be.
1 Timothy 4:12
‘…set an example…in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith…’
Philippians 2:14-16
‘do everything without grumbling or arguing…then you will shine among them like stars…’
Colossians 3:12-14
‘…clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience…forgive as the Lord forgave you…’
I am speaking to myself here as well, as I too have had my patience tested in unflattering ways. I am not proud of the fact, but I know I need to have Jesus in my boat this season more than ever.
At times in our life and circumstances we have strain placed upon us that seems hard to quantify and there appears no breathing space or that we could even drown in it all!
· I had to help support my husband through bowl cancer surgery, 2 weeks prior to him walking our youngest daughter down the aisle to be married
· I have had to deal with hurtful family accusations that then led to investigations from both National Health Authorities and State Departments over the care of my parents in their final months
· I have had to deal with financial crimes for months over money I did not steal
What is more assuredly a test to those situations (and there are plenty more) is that I am still here and still standing today and acknowledging that Jesus has been in the boat with me for all of them.
There is an expression ‘when the going gets tough, the tough get going’ and even though it means ‘strong people step us and handle difficult situations’ – I believe that it can only be God that helps us through it all… continually. He is there in all the ups and downs.
The scripture I used at the beginning from Mark chapter 6, earlier in that chapter, Jesus had performed an amazing miracle of feeding a huge crowd with five loaves and two fish. If we have Jesus in our boat every day, we should not allow our hearts to be hardened like the disciples were in verse 52 from any negativity we go through or experiences because that will stop us from seeing and experiencing the marvellous miraculous from Jesus in our lives.
· My husband did miraculously walk my daughter down the aisle on her wedding day
· My brother and I were interviewed, and accusations were unfounded but did set other investigations in motion that changed management and more in the nursing home my parents were living in at the time
· Although a percentage of funds were returned to our family from what was stolen, It was resolved that I did not steal the money
I only want to be a guiding light for others to follow that will show them the Jesus that has transformed my life on so many occasions over the years. To honour Him in all I do, share His love and be mindful that others matter to our Heavenly Father as I know I do 😊
Today I am choosing to ‘dwell in the presence of God and not just visit’. Praying that you too will consider spending more time with Him and be the light this Christmas Season for others and it will be because ‘He is in the boat with you’!
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