HOLD ON TO JESUS


Hold on to God | Spiritual quotes, Powerful christian quotes ...
 HOLD ON TO JESUS (1 King 19:9-18; Matt. 14: 22-33)
A friend of mine recently wrote these words: “After you have planned, prayed and prepared to enter a new phase in life, regardless of how prepared and prayed up you are, you’ll face unexpected tough challenges. These unexpected challenges are placed in your way not to hinder your progress but to test your determination. Resist the temptation to return to the confines of the comfort zone. Fight the urge to return to the way things have always been. Regardless of the challenges you’re facing, make a decision to press on and move straight ahead. No turning back!” This makes one think of his/her own journey, especially when all our normal routines are perturbed: We find ourselves in this kind of situation when we don’t see ourselves returning back to our previous/ normal routines, we get frustrated. But we should pray: God, what am I to learn about living the truth in these difficult times? I agree to what one evangelist said: “If returning back to normal means business as usual without real connection and commitment to God, then let it not be.” Our Gospel story provides us with helpful insights of real facts of life and how should a Christian believer live in the truth despite all these difficulties. If truly we hold on to Jesus, he shows us that by faith in him, nothing is impossible, not even walking on water.

Many scholars agree that this story follows the feeding of the 5,000, and Jesus sent the crowds away with a blessing, and asked his disciples to get into the boat, [I am assuming Jesus planned to join them later]. Jesus headed out to the mountain to pray alone. Jesus prays for us all the time. Those who are leaders, we are called to pray for our team members, parents, we are called to pray for our families/ our church/ our circle of friends. Jesus is teaching us, to keep praying. It was already evening when the feeding happened. I am imagining that by now it was already at night. Jesus must have been praying almost the whole night because it wasn’t until early hours of the morning that he walked on water towards the disciples’ boat. That’s many hours in between…

Allow me to paint a picture of Jesus on the mountain praying for his disciples in the boat, battling for hours against the wind then almost at 3 am. Jesus joins them walking on water. Jesus is walking on the water to join us where we might be stuck, or where situations may look uncertain and hopeless. Jesus is defying the laws of gravity to walk towards you. The key here is to recognize and feel his presence when we are in the midst of trouble. The truth is that whatever circumstances we go through, they are an opportunity for us to grow spiritually. It’s still painful to go through it, but we are stronger people afterwards. We were never going to be the same after 911 tragedy...We are never going to be the same after Coronavirus pandemic.

In the middle of the storm, there will be fear/ doubt/ anxiety, news from around us that isn’t helpful… True faith does not paralyze us, it builds us towards action: Pray, Seek God. That’s when Jesus moves towards us! Perhaps as a silhouette walking on water coming to encourage you, and to tell you: “Fear Not, it is I.” I have been meaning to come and meet you, so you know I never abandoned you. Keep looking ahead of you, march towards your heavenly destination by faith not by senses. Don’t be distracted or frightened by the high waves or the thunder. Focus on me, I assure you, it will be worth it.

When the walk gets tougher, don’t lose hope. When Elijah was in the middle of his troubles, he was so distressed that he said: “I alone am left and they are seeking my life to take it.” Also, it was in the middle of his anguish that the Lord told him to go on a mountain and see him pass by. A personal rescue! God does spring into action, when we are stuck in the valley, God silences our fears and obstacles so we can live a bold Christian life. You are not alone! Jesus is walking towards you, he also placed St Andrew’s family within your reach. Do you need prayer for you, or anyone in your family? We have OSL dedicated believers, contact us, so we can get the prayer chain going. Start new routines, focus on Jesus, push through ahead with faith!
And if you happen to sink like Peter, cry out to Jesus: Son of God rescue me!
Amen

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