Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he 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, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened. ---Mark 6:45-52
It is easy for us to think that if the Lord compels us, if we obey him, he will bring us great success. Don’t take the dream of success as God’s plan for us; God’s plan may be just the opposite. We think that God is bringing us to a particular end—an ideal goal, which is not. Reaching a goal is a side effect. What we call a process, God calls a goal. 明 What do I dream for God’s plan? His plan was that I should now rely on him and his abilities. Amid the turmoil, if I can stay calm and not wonder, which is the goal of God’s plan. God doesn’t work for a particular end. His aim was in the process and let us to see him walking on the waves. There was no shore, no destination, but there was a certain certainty, a certain certainty that all was well, for I saw him walking on the sea, which was the process, not the goal, of glorifying God. God’s training is immediate, not waiting. The plan is for this minute, not something in the future. We don’t care what happens after obedience; if you are worried about what will happen, you are going the wrong way. What men call training and preparation, God calls purpose.
God wanted me to know now that he could walk through the chaos of my life. If we have another goal ahead of us, then every moment that comes to us becomes precious.
Dear God, if the need is from you, I am glad! I praise you for teaching us, “do not be surprised, but rejoice, that a fiery test has come upon you.”
