Today’s Reading: Luke 6:16-21

That evening Jesus’ disciples went to the shore to wait for him. But as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn’t come back, they got into the boat and headed across the lake toward Capernaum. Soon a gale swept down upon them, and the sea grew rough. They had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified, but he called out to them, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!” Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination. — John 6:16-21

This is another great miracle of timing! The moment Jesus stepped into the boat, the storm calmed.

THE TIMING OF JESUS’ ACTION WAS BEAUTIFULLY CHOREOGRAPHED AND THE FAITH OF THE DISCIPLES WAS STRENGTHENED.

Notice Jesus did not calm the storm after the disciples had rowed one mile. He did not settle the waves after the second mile. Three miles of rowing and the sea was still churning. Mark’s estimate is that they had rowed somewhere between three or four miles before Jesus made His presence known to them.

What is your story of God’s perfect timing in your life – timing that confirmed God was at work rather than a simple coincidence? Perhaps you are in the midst of the storm right now, rowing until God chooses to calm the waves and winds. My friend, know that God has not abandoned you during the storm; He is with you.

The disciples were never alone, Jesus had not abandoned them in the storm. He was there all the time, waiting for the perfect moment to say, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!”

My prayer for you this year is that you will hear Jesus speak to you over and over again. 2020 has been a year of uncertainties and loss. As much as we would like to close the book on 2020 and see Jesus walking on the water, we have no idea how far we are on this journey. Have we passed the mile three marker, or are we closer to mile one? Regardless of how much longer we have to deal with this pandemic, I pray you will know without a doubt that God is with you and that you can trust in His perfect timing. Remember, God is never late and He is never early – He is always on time! He has a purpose and we need to wait patiently as He accomplishes His kingdom work.

The disciples began to worship Jesus when He stepped into the boat and the storm calmed. Let’s choose to worship Him while still rowing through the storm, grateful for how far He has brought us and praising Him in confidence for what He is going to do. Let’s recognize His presence in the midst of the waves and wind.

A year ago today, we were studying the book of James. The title of my blog post that day was When Faith Defines You. This was my prayer at the beginning of 2020: Dear God, thank you so much for seeing us for who you created us to be, who we are now and who we will become. Help us to trust you as Abraham did – to trust You to do what only You can do. Help us to live not on the basis of what we see we cannot do but on what we know YOU can do. Like Job and Rahab, let our actions be the seamless unity of believing and doing. Amen.

2020 contained a long list of things we could not do. We were disappointed time after time as big events in our lives were cancelled, and as new restrictions were imposed on our favorite traditions. We watched loved ones suffer, we buried friends and family members, and we distanced ourselves from our support systems. But we were never truly alone.

This last year forced us to recognize the limitations of both medical science and law enforcement. We could no longer ignore the cries of injustice caused by racism and discrimination. We cried out to God for intervention and healing, recognizing our need for Him to calm the waves and protect us through the storm. And He has been present!

Today begins a new year — another opportunity to let our actions be the seamless unity of believing and doing. Lord, help us to trust You to do what only You can do as we wait for your perfect timing. May we hear you saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am here.” We pray for you to continue to strengthen our faith and give us patience to take 2021 one day at a time.