STAY FOCUSED WHEN GOING TO THE OTHER SIDE

Jul 10

(8-minute read)

When the world was experiencing the prolonged disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic, people were forcefully separated from each other when social activities and regular gatherings abruptly came to a halt. Suddenly, the routines and superficial interactions that we relied on to cover up the lack of meaningful connections disappeared. We had to figure out how to make interpersonal connections with each other, or if we even wanted to make the effort. Now, we can say we have arrived on the other side of the pandemic to realities we never imagined possible just a few years ago.

A group of fellas who hung out with Jesus were known collectively as His disciples. Wherever He went, they went with Him. They were known only because of what Jesus did and was known for. His preeminence made them popular and welcomed wherever they went with Him. Up until His crucifixion and resurrection, being close to Jesus took little effort and felt good because of the crowds that often welcomed and surrounded them.

But one day, after spending an unplanned and extended time in a remote place with more than 5,000 people who had trailed Him to that place, Jesus despatched His disciples on a boat ‘to the other side’ while He stayed behind to dismiss the crowd. (He had originally withdrawn to that place to be alone to grieve the death of John the Baptist Matthew 14:22-32). So while His disciples started heading towards the other side, Jesus withdrew to be alone somewhere else. Mark 6:45-52 recorded that they were apart for a couple of hours into the night for “the boat was in the middle of the lake, and He was alone on land”.

Perhaps you, too, have recently felt God’s prodding to go to the other side. Like Jesus's disciples, you could be feeling that you're all alone in this transition and Jesus’ presence seems distant. This could be any transition in life. It could relate to work, a change in business plans, a relocation of where you live or worship, a new perspective on where you will build legacy, taking a leap of faith in something new, or terminating an ungodly relationship. Or maybe you have made it to the other side but you are unsure if you have made the right move because you thought, If it is the right course, why am I facing severe storms?

So then, when the unfamiliar waves of new situations hit us en route to the other side, how do we navigate the journey so that we stay on track till we reach the other side?

#1 Focus on WHO JESUS IS

Let’s examine the situation here. Firstly, the disciples used a boat, not a big ship; that meant its visibility would be somewhat hidden from shore as it sailed further out. Matthew 14:24 recounted that “the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.” John 6:16-24 further reveals that by then, “they had rowed about three or four miles” out.

Secondly, Mark 6:48 tells us that “He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them.” This was likely possible because Jesus had retreated to a mountainside, elevated above sea level that enabled Him to see further out into the horizon. But the conditions were stormy and visibility was likely low as a result. Yet, the Lord saw them straining at the oars trying to keep the boat afloat.

Having the right perspective about who Jesus is and His perspective of our lives determines whether we sink or swim in any situation. While it doesn’t stop the storm around us, we can be sure that He is with us. Imagine that you are outside, caught in a heavy downpour and you have an umbrella. While it shields you from the wind and rain, it does not stop the relentless drench or lessen the wind intensity. Rather, an umbrella proves its worth and utility only in bad weather. Thus, whether we are thrust into severe challenges, conflict, or personal conundrums, we can be sure that we will grow stronger in our faith and closer to God as a result.

So did Jesus rush to rescue His disciples from the onset of every storm? Scripture tells us that the disciples faced a storm late at night but Jesus approached them only near dawn. When they saw Him approaching, “Jesus immediately said to them, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 8:27).

In a recent incident, the Lord had set out on another voyage with His disciples with this plan, “Let us go over to the other side.” During the voyage, “A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.” When Jesus emerged on deck, the storm quieted down. (Mark 4:35-41).

So the disciples were able to understand what it meant when Jesus said It is I. He had revealed to them many things about Himself. I AM the Bread of Life+. I AM the Light of the World+. I AM the Door+. I AM the Good Shepherd+. I AM the Resurrection and the Life+. I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life+. I AM the True Vine+.

Jesus knew that the best way to help His disciples stay grounded for the long haul ahead is to send them out into the realities of life on their own. The Bible is full of people’s lived realities and God’s power revealed through them. So, who is Jesus to you as you endure the distressing and unsettling storms in your life now?

#2 Focus on JESUS’ COMMAND

Some of us have been mulling over going to the other side for a while. We have no precedents to guide us. The world has evolved so quickly and so much that what worked for our predecessors or even for ourselves in the past no longer seem to be viable pathways for us now. Not only do past success models no longer work for current realities, many of us also feel stuck with mental models that fail to understand how God’s Word work in new crises. Some of us doggedly stick it out with known convention and hope that God somehow will reward us for playing it safe, not taking risks, and compliantly following the beaten path.

In truth, our challenges fade into the background when we focus on Jesus. See how Peter was emboldened the moment he saw Jesus approaching the boat! “‘Lord, if it’s you… tell me to come to You on the water.’ Jesus simply replied, ‘Come’. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came towards Jesus.” (Matthew 14:28-29).

Peter responded to Jesus’ singular command Come.

Similarly, Zaccheaus responded to a simple command, Come down immediately. And his life was turned around. (Luke 19:5).

Jarius, on hearing that his adolescent daughter had just died, believed when Jesus told him, Don’t be afraid. Just believe. He got his daughter back. (Mark 5:35-36).

Stop wasting time waiting for God to give us a blow-by-blow disclosure of His plan for our future. He knows how conflicted we can feel when there is only brevity in His commands. This is where we learn to trust that His commands are always present-centred - speaking directly to our current situations- and they are future-ready - developing us to step into His plans ahead.

#3 Focus on JESUS ALONE

It is one thing to be in a boat pounded by strong waves, and it is quite another thing to leave the protection of the boat and be hit by waves on every side! When Peter asked to approach Jesus on the water, it was not a request to be safe but a request to be close.

“But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’” (Matthew 14:30). Now, it was not that Peter could not swim that he felt overwhelmed by the powerful waves. John 21:7 tells us that Peter was a swimmer! But intimacy with God does not make our problems disappear instantly. It also does not involve downplaying our emotions and realities, but we need to focus on another reality coexisting with what we see and feel – it is God in our situations with us.

So, as soon as Peter paid more attention to the waves than to his Saviour, he began to submerge in his surroundings. In the same way, we, too, can feel swallowed up by our circumstances and by strong emotions when we lose focus on Jesus. Does this sound like what you are going through right now?

Yet, as soon as Peter panicked, “Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ He said, ‘why did you doubt?’” (Matthew 13:31). Jesus said what he said about Peter’s faith so Peter could not pretend that he always had it together. He was as vulnerable as anyone still in the boat. He wasn’t better because he walked on water with Jesus: he only experienced Jesus differently because he had asked to walk on water. Pointedly, Jesus didn’t give Peter a lecture before pulling him out of water. In fact, He instantly reached out and caught His friend’s hand to prevent him from sinking further into the ocean

Today, when we say ‘You of little faith’, it’s important not to minimize other people’s struggles. Instead, it is important to remind each other to sharpen our focus on Jesus and find Him in our pain and discouragement. God does not exist in a vaccum, but He exists in our realities.

Are you en route to the other side and finding it difficult to discern God’s presence? Just focus on who Jesus is to you. Focus on His simple command. And focus on Jesus in your situation.