The Struggle is Real

Where in your life do you feel the wind is blowing right in your face?

Where are you straining to make progress and it feels like you are getting nowhere? Could it be in a relationship, your thought life, being healthy, fulfilling your dreams, freedom from your fears, letting go of the past, or stepping into your future? In my own life I could say yes to any one of those examples. Lately, God has reminded me that when I am struggling, I need to remember to look up and reach out to Him.

Unfortunately, that is not always our go-to response…

“Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he (Jesus) was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn, he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, ⁵⁰ because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Mark 6:47-50)

I have often wondered what it means when it says, “He was about to pass by.” Was he going to leave them to struggle alone? Was He really going to just walk past them? Why had they not prayed and asked for help? Could it be that the disciples were working so hard rowing against the wind, that they never even thought to pray? Jesus was not hiding from them; He was in plain sight, but much like God at the burning bush (with Moses), He was willing to wait for them to notice Him. He could have walked right past them, joined them on the other side of their struggle, and they would have never known the difference.

How many times amidst the struggles of life do we toughen up and “git-r-done” instead of looking up and acknowledging Jesus in the situation? We can get so tired trying to keep up and maintain our lives, that we don’t even notice Jesus standing right there in the midst of it all. It would appear it is a daily choice, or hourly one at times, for us to stop, look up and see Him.

• He promises to “never leave or forsake us.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
• He promises to be the voice behind us “saying, this is the way, walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21)
• He declares that He is “close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
• He reminds us, that if we seek Him, He WILL be found by us. (2 Chronicles 15:2).

One of my favorite little books is called, My Heart, Christ’s Home*, by Robert Boyd Munger. It creatively describes the reality of life once we invite Jesus to permeate ours. Here is an excerpt:

We walked next into the living room. This room was rather intimate and comfortable. I liked it. It had a fireplace, overstuffed chairs, a sofa, and a quiet atmosphere. He also seemed pleased with it. He said, “This is indeed a delightful room. Let us come here often. It is secluded and quiet, and we can fellowship together.” Well, naturally as a young Christian I was thrilled. I couldn’t think of anything I would rather do than have a few minutes with Christ in intimate companionship. He promised, “I will be here early every morning. Meet me here, and we will start the day together.”

So morning after morning, I would come downstairs to the living room and He would take a book of the Bible from the bookcase. He would open it and then we would read together. He would tell me of its riches and unfold to me its truths. He would make my heart warm as He revealed His love and His grace He had toward me. These were wonderful hours together. In fact, we called the living room the “withdrawing room.” It was a period when we had our quiet time together. But, little by little, under the pressure of many responsibilities, this time began to be shortened. Why, I’m don’t know, but I thought I was just too busy to spend time with Christ. This was not intentional, you understand; it just happened that way. Finally, not only was the time shortened, but I began to miss a day now and then. It was examination time at the university. Then it was some other urgent emergency. I would miss it two days in a row and often more.

I remember one morning when I was in a hurry, rushing downstairs, eager to be on my way. As I passed the living room, the door was open. Looking in, I saw a fire in the fireplace and Jesus was sitting there. Suddenly in dismay I thought to myself, “He was my guest. I invited Him into my heart! He has come as Lord of my home. And yet here I am neglecting Him.”

In the Meanwhile…

Take time today to look for Him, whether you are in the midst of chaos or relaxing in the stillness of your day. He sees you and knows EVERY detail of your life. He is there, just waiting for you to see Him.

He will give LIFE to what is dying

He will give HOPE to what seems impossible

He will give TRUTH to compensate for all the lies

He will give JOY where despair is overwhelming

He will give FAITH where we can not see the road ahead

Whatever wind is causing you to strain at the oars, make the choice today to stop and look for Jesus.

Psalms 105:4 declares, “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.”

*The entire writing of My Heart Christ’s Home: https://www.usna.edu/Navigators/_files/documents/MHCH.pdf