CLIMBING INTO THE BOAT
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 14:1-16:8, Luke 8:22-39, Psalm 66:1-7

"One day Jesus said to his disciples, Let's cross over to the other side of the lake. So they got into the boat and started out." Luke 8:22 NLT

Oh, I can see these big, burly men climbing over each other in an effort to be in the boat before Jesus even finishes His sentence.

I can see them jostling for position, wanting to sit closest to Him.

I can imagine the excitement on their face as they consider how privileged they were to be asked.

Would things have been different if Jesus had asked...

-Come on, fellas, let's get out into the middle of the lake and about lose the boat and our lives in a storm!

-Hey guys, let's live out a harrowing account for me to include in the pages of the Bible!

-Disciples, ole buddies, ole pals, let's spend today testing your faith!

Would any of them have stepped foot on the boat had they known what all was going to happen?

Let's be honest, it might have been a solo journey for Jesus.

Sometimes we, as educated, modern Christians, spend more time asking questions, debating issues and scoping out the future to get on the boat.

We ponder.

We discuss.

We pray...and pray...and pray.

None of us would sign up for a ride on the 'cancer' ship.

Or the 'prodigal child' ship.

Or the 'break an addiction' ship.

But the journeys led by Jesus are the most amazing! We find out more about Him, and ourselves, than we ever would had we stayed on shore.

So, today, if He asks, climb on board the vessel. Don't ask where it's going. Don't ask how long of a ride it might be. Get on board. Cinch up your life vest. Apply sunscreen to your nose. And prepare to see God do something big with your mustard-seed faith!