(Luke 8:22 – 26 KJV) Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him. And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.
In the above passage, Jesus told his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side. I do not know what side you are today but there is always the other side, the other side of failure is success, the other side of sickness is good health, the other side poverty is prosperity.
Let me ask you today, where is the other side or your destination that you want to arrive at or that you are traveling towards?
- Do you want to graduate from College? or
- Your destination could be becoming a big success in your career? or
- You want to be rich and prosperous? or
- You want to have a successful marriage? or
- You may even want to have a personal, consistent fellowship with God through Jesus Christ?
Unfortunately, many people start the journey towards their desired destination but they never arrive until the end of their lives. The challenges, battles, winds and storms of life are real and they are all out to stop you from reaching the other side.
The disciples started the journey excitedly but along the line, the winds and the storms came and it was so strong they thought their end has come but they quickly remembered that Jesus was in their ship.
Thank God that Jesus was in their ship but do you realize the fact that Jesus was in the ship did not stop the wind and the storms from coming. The storms still came all the same.
The first critical issue is that you must invite Jesus into your ship, your life is like a ship, do you have Jesus in your life?
To invite Jesus into your ship and your life, please pray this prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to you today, I repent of all the wrong things I have ever done, I am sorry for running my life on my own, I ask that you forgive me and wash away all my sins with your blood, I invite you into the ship of my life, as my Lord and Saviour, take total control and be in charge from today. I will serve you and obey you all the days of my life from now on for the rest of my life. Thank you for saving me, in Jesus mighty name we pray.
The second critical issue is that now that Jesus is in your ship, are you in constant fellowship with Jesus, are you aware of His presence in your life, do you call upon Him in prayer everyday or you only remember that Jesus is in your ship when the storms of life come knocking. Although Jesus was in the ship with the disciples, they were not in constant fellowship with Jesus in prayers, and discussion. Hence, Jesus was able to fall asleep.
Are you praying to God through Jesus as a constant daily practice or as an occasional panic call in times of trouble? Jesus must not only be in your ship, He must be in control, you must give him total control of the ship of your life. Let Him steer your ship to the other side where there is peace, joy and fulfillment.
Two notable things that the presence of Jesus will do in your life:
There are many things that the presence of Jesus will do in your life, but two notable things that I will like to mention are:
1. He will rebuke the contrary winds and storms that are working contrary to your journey in life.
2. You will arrive at your glorious destination – the disciples arrived at the other side in the above passage despite the winds and the storms. That colourful and glorious destination that you desire to get to, you will arrive there no matter the contrary winds and storms that you may face.
Dear Friends, the Lord Jesus is more than willing to steer you in the right direction till you get to the other side, please do not relegate him to the background. Make a conscious, intelligent decision to partner with HIM in the journey of life and you will be glad that you did.
Amen