Walk This Way

by Larry Childers

First day of school, first job interview, first child, first house, first signs of aging. The natural progression of life forces us to walk in places we've never walked before, with outcomes we can't predict. It's easy to feel anxious.

James, one of the Bible authors, understood our predicament: "You do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away" (James 4:14).

Some people "live it up" today because they fear tomorrow's uncertainties. Others escape through alcohol, drugs, or even suicide. But when we're afraid of the path ahead, God wants us to walk the right way by praying and relying on His strength.

'Crippling' Fear

Years ago I read the story of a Korean girl who was born with infantile paralysis. Early in her life, one of her legs had to be amputated. Her family was among refugees herded into South Korea by the Communists. As the Communists swept them along, the girl couldn't keep up, so her family had to leave her behind. Can you imagine how fearful and frantic she must have felt?

Perhaps you feel "crippled" and abandoned at times. Perhaps your closest friend moved away. Perhaps a parent or spouse died. You feel deserted! Perhaps your doctor has told you to get your will in order, because the medical test turned out positive. You have to travel a road you're not sure you'll survive.

Brave New World?

A brave new world -- right! A few years ago, your hearing began go. Since you like to read rather than listen, you figure it's no big deal. Now you have glaucoma and are developing cataracts. How will you tell where you're going, what to do? Retire and travel? How will you hear the water falls, see the fawn hiding in the grass? This wasn't the answer to your prayers you'd expected!

Maybe your next step in life isn't as frightening and doesn't make you feel as insecure as these situations, but a path may still lie before you that you fear to walk.

Peace and Calm

The Sea of Galilee has been the setting for many occasions of insecurity. The sea's position makes it subject to sudden storms. Cool air from the uplands violently rush down the gorges and toss its waters in tumultuous billows. Boats easily sink in its waters.

Mark, one of the New Testament writers, tells of such an occasion involving Jesus and His followers:

Leaving the crowd behind, they took [Jesus] along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!" (Mark 4:36-41).

That day, the disciples found themselves on a path that was sure to lead to destruction. Who responded to their cries of help? Who removed their fear and turned it into respect? Jesus!

Rescue

Mark tells of another incident involving Jesus, His disciples, and a frightening boat ride:

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. When evening came, 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. About the fourth watch of the night 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" (Mark 6:45-50).

Again, the disciples battled wind and waves, as well as their own fears. Who came to the rescue? Jesus!

Panic or Prayer?

When we're faced with uncertain storms in our lives, who are we most like: Jesus or His followers? The disciples panicked, but Jesus had prepared Himself by spending time in prayer on the mountain.

Some people have learned to set the watches of their daily living by "mountain time" -- time on the mountain to pray. Often this isn't a literal mountain, but rather a place away from the chaos and crowds where we can talk to God. Communicating with God strengthens us and keeps our focus on Him instead of on our anxieties.

Unsinkable

The winds of turmoil rush into our own lives, bringing grief, discouragement, failure, anguish; our "boats" threaten to sink. Who waits on the shore to encourage? Who comes walking on the water to us? The very same Jesus! Sometimes He comes through a friend, sometimes through the words of a song or a verse in the Bible. But He always comes!

Sometimes our minds and spirits are like the churning Sea of Galilee. Jesus wants us to place our confidence in Him and to call out for help. When His followers called for help, He came. When He came, they reached the shore safely.

Answer to Prayer

The young Korean girl learned this lesson. After her family left her behind, she called out to God for help. In response to her prayer, three American soldiers saw her limping along the road, picked her up, and gave her a ride to Pusan. Later after she came to the United States, the girl married, became the mother of two children, and at the age of forty graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelors degree in psychology. She received her masters at St. John's University and works in the field of rehabilitation counseling.

Who would have predicted that a fearful little girl with one leg, abandoned on the road in despair, could call out to God and not only be rescued, but also achieve such successes?

The same Jesus who stilled the waves invites you, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).

Larry Childers is pastor of the Church of God (Seventh Day) in Nampa, ID. Scripture quotations were taken from the New International Version.

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