Reluctant Retiree

Jesus and the disciples had just completed a long day of ministry to thousands of people. Jesus sent the disciples across the sea while He went up the hill to pray. The disciples encountered a great storm and their lives were in danger. Jesus came to them walking on the water. They became even more afraid as they initially thought Jesus was a ghost. Matthew 14:27 records what happened next; “But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” Peter asked Jesus to let him also walk on the water. Everything was fine until Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and looked at the waves surrounding him. Peter began to sink and begged Jesus for help. Jesus lifted him up and calmed the seas around them.

Troubles will come our way, but we must keep our eyes on Jesus, so that He can calm the waves and lead us to the other side. We have a tendency to focus on our troubles, which sink us deeper into trouble. If we look to Jesus as our ever present help, we will find that He is faithful to calm the seas of trouble and take us through to the other side.

I admit that I often do not understand what is going on around me. I feel like I am often bewildered by life and circumstances. But I also believe that we all have moments when we are surprised by events and ask ourselves, “How did that happen?” Things occur to us and around us that we have no explanation for.

Hebrews 1:14 says, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation.” God has the explanation for the surprising things that happen. God has assigned angels to minister to us and to serve each of us believers. God releases them to help us when we pray. Even when we don’t pray, God will accomplish His plans and purposes for us through His sovereign power and ways. Instead of being surprised, we should actively pray and watch for God’s work in us and around us. Who knows? Perhaps, we will observe angels ministering to us.

Ezekiel 36:25-26 says, “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”

Brothers and sisters in Christ, come and see all that the Lord has done for you. Rejoice and give Him praise. By the blood of Jesus Christ, He has washed away all our uncleanness. He has put a new heart and a new spirit within us. We are, indeed, new creations in Christ. Glory! Hallelujah!

When I watch sports, live or on television, I like to watch the sidelines. It gives me some understanding of the team dynamics. I look for players that are left alone without much interaction with others, players who walk up and down the sidelines trying to inspire teammates, those rejoicing with an outstanding play, and those dejected with failures.

I Thessalonians 5:14 says, “And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” Sometimes we feel tired, weak and defeated, excluded from the action and sitting on the sidelines. At those times we need encouragement, patience and help. At other times we are the ones who can provide the encouragement, patience and help to others, inspiring them to join the action and give their best.

Hearsay is something that we hear from someone that we can’t adequately validate. Gossip is casual or unconstrained conversation about others. Innuendo is a disparaging or suggestive remark or hint about someone. As you can see we have all sorts of ways of communicating falsehoods or misleading information.

Matthew 10:27 says, “What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.” Jesus is telling His disciples that they can confidently speak what they hear from Him. God is the source of all truth, wisdom and knowledge. His Word is light and life.

Don’t be afraid to speak what God is telling you and what you have learned from His Word. It will be a source of light to others, drawing them closer to God. We can be confident in speaking the truth out of love for others and for God.