Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Greetings, dear people.

Beautiful morning—with the swallows darting around outside this window. It sure looks like they’re just having fun more than they’re feeding. They seem to be cavorting around in groups—like they’re playing tag.

Becki and I are preparing to pick up my cousin and wife at 10am and take them to the coast. And tomorrow morning I’m planning to be aboard a boat for a bottom fishing excursion. We’ll be able to eat fresh fish tomorrow evening—if things go as planned.

Blessings on your day.

Love, Dad/Ray.

I’m reminded of that Sunday School song that goes, “With Christ in my vessel I can smile at the storm.” It’s not just a nice song for children. It’s also a vital truth for all serious disciples. None of us will ever be able to avoid the storms of life. They are stubborn facts of the journey. Therefore it is of great importance to make sure that we maintain contact with the only power available that transcends storms. If we are with Jesus and Jesus is with us we can actually smile at the storms that come our way knowing that if we will take charge of what we can (in relationship and obedience to Him) He will take charge of what we can’t.

I suppose it would have been possible for any one of the disciples to have jumped out of the boat during that storm. Of course that would have been pretty dumb, and they probably would have perished. But by remaining in the boat with Jesus, they were safe. Why? Because Jesus clearly said “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” All they needed to do was to cooperate with Jesus’ plan that it be an “us” arrangement. It was not to be “me” or “you,” but “us.” Got it? That means the disciples with Jesus. And that’s a formula for safety and security. When Jesus said, “Let us go over to the other side,” they could rest assured they would get there with Him. (Please read again John 14:1-6.)

I agree that we face here some simple—even silly—ideas of common sense. They are, nevertheless, profound. So please don’t jump out of your faith canoe just because you meet some rough seas. Make sure Jesus is aboard and you will make the destination He desires every time. That really is an important lesson. The alternative causes us to consume a lot of unnecessary nervous and fearful energy.

I won’t force you to listen, but another song rises to my mind and mouth—“When we walk with the Lord, in the light of His Word, what a glory is shed on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still; And with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”