How do you handle multiple, resource intensive interpersonal demand? Every mom of more than one child knows what I am talking about. Juggling the many “I need help!” and “Stop it!” cries that come throughout the day. Each child wants their own time and attention from you. And then you add on neighbors, coworkers, and family (both in-laws and outlaws) and the mix begins to take more from you that you thought you had in you.
Those multiple interpersonal demands can be very draining. Now add a special needs child and the scale is completely tipped. Adoption and foster care pulls the plug on the bathtub of energy. Sometimes you just want to get away, to sit down and not be touched, to hear the quiet of the wind rustling leaves, to sip a glass of sweet tea in silence. But the demands of those around you just never seem to subside. There is always another voice pull you in.
Jesus has tried unsuccessfully to pull His disciples aside for some rest and recuperation. He recognized that the demands of the crowd would soon drain them, so He tried to give them a break. They had crossed a lake only to be greeted when they landed by a very large crowd wanting to hear Jesus teach. They ended up being active participants in feeding 5000. And now the crowds are dispersing and Jesus sends them ahead of him to His next destination.
Jesus pulls away by Himself to pray. If He can’t arrange for them all to get some time for prayer, He at least makes time for Himself. But the disciples haven’t had an easy night. They have been fighting the wind which is going the wrong direction for their journey. They have to fight its push every pull of the oars.
Jesus sees their struggle and is going to pass by. What a curious reaction. Jesus saw them and then was going to pass by. Jesus doesn’t remove every struggle from our lives. Sometimes He passes by. He knows the struggle will bring something good into our lives. The strength we gain is better than the immediate relief of His intervention. Jesus leaves us in our struggle in order to bring about long term growth. The strength we gain by hanging in there in the middle of the struggle will be needed during a future testing, so Jesus passes by.
But for the disciples in the boat fear grips them in that moment. They see the impossible, someone walking on water. Their explanation: a ghost. Their reaction: terror. Jesus’ response: calm the wind and get on board.
And then the crowds gather and demand more time and energy.
The Arnold Journey 