John…on Love

I had just finished a teacher training session at a church located in the mountains of Pennsylvania. I loaded up the van and began my trek back home via a hotel stop. Things were going well, I evaluated the evening’s training in my mind as I always did while enjoying the passing scenery. Then the bright early evening began to grow dark and new spring snow began to fall quite suddenly and unexpectedly. It was pretty, at first, as I drove the highway that was leading me to where I supposed to stay for the night. Then, in minutes, the lines on the snow covered road disappeared. The only thing I could see were the lights of a semi in front of me. It seemed we were the only two people on the road. I was becoming more and more tense. I prayed.

“Don’t be afraid, keep going, don’t stop, just follow the light of the truck” seemed to be the words that calmed me. We’re going to get where we need to be, right, Lord? I kept going, following the lights of the truck, because he seemed to see more than I could. The blinding snow was swirling all around us. This was one of the mountain top spring blizzards the locals talk about and now I’m in it! I traveled a lot of miles in those days of working for denominational headquarters, but this was my worst encounter.

Calmness surrounded me in this tunnel-like drive that God and I were going through together for I could not see anything to the left or the right. I couldn’t see lights behind me, which for some reason calmed me because that meant no one would run into the back of me. My only hope of getting to my exact location, was to keep moving forward, following the lights of the truck.

Finally, the exit for my night’s stay appeared. The truck was getting off, too! His lights led me to the same, exact hotel! I had booked this hotel days before the trip. I didn’t realize it was a favorite of truckers, too. Coincidence? I don’t think so. Where God guides. He provides. Every. Time.

John 6, The Message

16-21 In the evening his disciples went down to the sea, got in the boat, and headed back across the water to Capernaum. It had grown quite dark and Jesus had not yet returned. A huge wind blew up, churning the sea. They were maybe three or four miles out when they saw Jesus walking on the sea, quite near the boat. They were scared senseless, but he reassured them, “It’s me. It’s all right. Don’t be afraid.” So they took him on board. In no time they reached land—the exact spot they were headed to.

Jesus is Light in the dark for his disciples one treacherous night on the sea. I love this story. There are so many thoughts about it that swirl in my head. He went off by himself, after serving dinner to five thousand men and their families with a few fish and some bread, spending time with Father God, again. He avoided the temptation to declare Kingship and save all people right then and there..which He could have, but God had a better plan…to save the world, not just for now but for all repentant believers who would follow in succeeding generations…that would be us!

The disciples decide to push off from shore and go to the other side of the lake…without Jesus. I guess they thought he took another route? But here He comes, WALKING on the churning sea! Hey guys! “It’s ME. It’s all right. Don’t be afraid.” Then they reached their EXACT location. Our God loves to surprise us, protect us and rescue us…even before we know we will need it! Yes, our God is amazing! Think beyond the words of the text and see God!

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for teaching us this with memories from our past help from you as well as from your Words to us. Thank you for all the rescues for our lives that you have provided. Thank you for saving us by the shed blood of Jesus. Thank you for showing us Who You are in Your Word to us. You are amazing! There is NO ONE like You. Continue to be with us…In Jesus Name, Amen. I believe.