Such a simple sentence with such a profound meaning...that is what I thought this morning after reading it.
Jesus had just fed thousands of people on five loaves of bread and two small (mind you, small) fish with the help of his disciples (John 6:1-11). Because of this miracle, the masses, as supernaturally perceived by Jesus, wanted to forcibly make him their king - apparently due to having their bellies amply satisfied (6:15, 6:26). Knowing this was not His time yet to be King (and certainly not in this way), Jesus withdrew Himself to a nearby mountain and later met back up with His crew of disciples by literally walking on the water to join them in their boat; and of course they were scared...(6:16-19)
...What should they do?! Who was this man that he could even walk on water? What would happen if they touched Him and then drew Him into the boat???!!!
Not that these were the actual thoughts of any or all of the men who walked closely with Jesus during his "reign" here on earth (what would you think?!). But regardless, the Son of God knew that they were afraid; and so He comforted them (6:20), and they then accepted Him into their midst. And immediately after receiving Him, the boat was at the land where they were going...they were immediately and precisely where they needed to be.
Ever heard of being "at the right place at the right time"? Or ever have that sense that "all is right with the world" (or at least your own corner of it) and that you wouldn't want to be anywhere else for that moment - or moments - in time? Aren't those states of mind/being...nice, wonderful, euphoric...?
...but oh...so fleeting.
That's because we were never meant to have a state of mind based on our external (or even internal) circumstances as our basis for that kind of peace, euphoria, joy, satisfaction. It's impossible. Because just like that state of mind/being, the circumstances that feed it are also just as temporary.
But what if there was a way to be at the right place at the right time, or to be able to affirm that ALL was well with your soul ALL of the time (or at least for much of the time while still here on earth)?
There is. His Name is Jesus.
"...But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)
...and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.
When someone receives Jesus into his or her vessel (themselves), he/she is exactly where he or she needs to be: in His Presence. And because of His Amazing Presence, no matter what happens internally or externally, there is a profound sense of things being o.k....even if everyone else (and sometimes even you!) thinks it should be otherwise. As soon as the disciples received Jesus into the boat, it was exactly where it needed to be...immediately...
...likewise with us. When we reconnect with our Creator, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, through His Son Jesus Christ, we no longer have to long for those "heavenly" seconds in time when things finally seem to be at peace...and then it's gone. No. When we receive Jesus into our vessel, we too are exactly where we need to be...immediately...because we have the One Who Loves us the most living inside of us; and just like Jesus told Mary, it...He...will never be taken away from the one who has received Him.
God bless you all!
Love,
Terri
