G’day from Steve,

Faith, Fear and Fatigue

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.  After he had dismissed the crowd, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.  But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Matthew 14:22-27

They were beyond exhaustion.. they had served their hearts out all day.. handing out bread and fish to 12,000 people on the grassy hillsides overlooking the Galilee. Overwhelmed with the magnitude of the miracle they were literally living out, these men who had volunteered to follow Jesus diligently yet reluctantly took instructions from Jesus and did the work. By days end He ordered them to board their boat and cross to the western shores, as he dismissed the crowds. They set sail relieved to finally be free of responsibility. But their expectations of a smooth voyage across the massive lake were soon turned to darkness and fear.. the winds turned and they spent the next 7 hours fighting for their lives in a violent storm. How could this have happened when they had worked so hard serving Jesus? In complete fatigue and fear these tough former fishermen found themselves in desperate need. Yet they had obeyed their last instructions.

Don’t ever become discouraged when you are weary doing the work the Lord has called you to. He will show up and He will honour your faithfulness in serving. It will usually take longer than you want it to. But stay strong and don’t allow fear to be your dictator. In a world paranoid about security and crippled by fear – “Live Free”. Let Jesus be your everything. His perfect love casts out all fear.

“Where the spirit of the Lord is there is Liberty” 2 Corinthians 3:17

Thanks for standing with us in our work for the Lord.

Godspeed,