Came across our Christmas letter from 2014 and was once again encourage by what we learned that year. Thought I'd share-
"So much has
happened this year and we find ourselves
eager to share so here is a note as we look back at the passing months of
2014.
We love being married and have thanked the Lord so many
times over these past few months that we
are in this together. We like to begin our mornings snuggled up on the
couch with cups of steaming coffee, our journals, and the Word. The other
morning Jesus jumped off the pages at us through the story shared in Mark 6. We have clung to this truth
especially in this season. We would like to share it with you:
One stormy morning Jesus’ disciples vigorously fought the waves
as the wind roared against them. Jesus
saw this happening and CAME TOWARD them in the haze of the storm. He chose
what we would call the impossible path… the path of walking directly on the
stormy waters! They saw the outline of His form and let out terrified shrieks
thinking that a ghost was coming their way.
As He walked toward them He spoke
directly to their fears, telling them it was Him and to have courage. He climbed into the boat with them and
the wind ceased. They were completely astounded.
Let us take a step back from the story. Many Jews at this time believed that hell was underwater, so any body
of water scared them. Fishermen tended to be superstitious, spinning
stories about the dark waters they toiled in. So when they saw a person walking
on water towards them, of course their first thought was that it was a ghost!
And their second thought, “We are at the gates of the land of the dead!” Now
look at Jesus, He seemed almost amused as he said above the storm, “Courage, it
is I. Stop being afraid!”
A profound thought hit us: God is not afraid of walking on the brink of what we take as hell on
this earth. We think He actually welcomes the thought of stepping in the middle
of our storm and then climbing into the boat with us. He is not afraid to
walk in as our friends are struggling with drugs, or to comfort an aunt whose
niece took her life, He dares to walk into the homes where abuse runs rapid and
turn the hearts of the father’s back to their families, He isn’t afraid of
betrayal from people who we hold dear, he is dangerously jealous for His people
and His faithfulness OVERCOMES our biggest and smallest fears and hurts. Jesus walks closely with us as we
vigorously fight alongside His people in Africa. He has come as the most real
and tangible Helper, He is no ghost, He is very much ALIVE and at work.
Yes, some days are
working in the market places, watching Him heal and restore. Other days we are
standing in the boat with our friends, encouraging them to look up and see that
He isn’t a ghost. He is standing there dripping wet, waiting for them to see
Him and believe. He is here, now, for you too!
