The Joy of the Surface Walker: Day 15 of Joy
He rules the sea.
When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and he was alone on the land. He saw them straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. ... he came toward them walking on the sea. ... ‘Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.’ Then he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased.
—Mark 6:47-48, 50-51 CSB
Exhaustion comes from “straining at the oars.” We’ve all had those seasons where it feels like every bit of progress is met with a headwind. We row with all our might, yet our circumstances say we haven’t moved an inch. In those moments, joy feels like a distant memory left behind on the shore.
But Mark 6 shows us that even when we are “in the middle of the sea” and feel alone, we are never out of His sight. The text says He saw them. And then, He did the impossible: He walked on the very thing that was terrifying them. He rules the sea.
The waves are a sidewalk for our Savior. The thing that feels like it’s going to swallow you up is actually under His feet. When He says, “It is I,” He is literally saying “I AM,” invoking the name of God. Jesus isn’t just a helper who swims out to save you; He is the Sovereign King who treads upon the heights of the sea. Your joy is unsinkable because the One in your boat is the One who rules the deep. You can be carefree even when the wind is against you, because the Wind-Maker is on His way.
The 90/10 Rule of the Surface
[read this article to learn more about the 90/10 rule]
The 10%: The “straining at the oars”—the effort, the resistance, and the waves that look like they have the upper hand.
The 90%: The feet of Jesus on the water. The reality that the obstacle between you and Him is actually His pathway to you.
If you focus on the 10 percent, you will eventually collapse from exhaustion. When you give the 90 percent of your attention to the fact that He rules the sea, your heart finds an anchor. He doesn’t just calm the storm from a distance; He walks through it to get to you.
Identify the thing that makes you feel like you are rowing hard but going nowhere. Instead of rowing harder, look for Jesus in the middle of that struggle. Remind yourself: “The thing I am afraid of is under His feet.” Let the joy of His sovereignty over the “sea” give you the courage to stop straining and start trusting.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You that You see me when I am straining at the oars. I confess that I often feel overwhelmed by the headwinds of life. Thank You for the joy of knowing that You rule the sea and that nothing is too difficult for You. I take courage today because I know You are with me. Amen.
View all messages in the series at: www.faithsaves.us/t/joy-series-faith-saves-us