“Take courage! It is I (Jesus Christ). Don’t be afraid.” Then He climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed.”
Mark 6:50b/NIV
In 1986, singer-songwriter, Dallas Holm, wrote a famous, powerful, and moving song – “Against the Wind.” As you hear him sing and listen to the lyrics, you feel the music speaking about what could be happening at some point in your life. Problems, troubles, responsibilities, fears, doubts, and worries may represent your life which may feel like “walking against the wind.”
“Problems on the rise
Troubles just increase
Responsibilities never cease
Fears and doubts assail
Worries from within
Sometimes life is just like walking
Against the wind”
(Dallas Holm, 1986)
In Mark 6:45-51, we see where Jesus asked his disciples to get into a boat and go ahead of him to Bethsaida while he finished with the crowd He was teaching. Later that night, the boat loaded with the disciples was in the middle of the lake, and they began to experience high winds and were struggling. Jesus saw the disciples straining at the oars because of the high wind, and He went out to them, walking on water. As Jesus approached the vessel with the terrified disciples, He said: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” He climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died. What a difference Jesus made for the disciples who struggled against the wind!
Indeed, sometimes life is like walking and rowing against the wind! In the passage from Mark, the disciples were obediently doing what Jesus asked them to do. Though they were obedient, they faced difficulties they did not bring upon themselves. In our Christian walk, while seeking to do the work the Lord has placed before us, we too could be faced with heavy winds (problems, troubles, responsibilities, fears, doubts, and worries). I like Dallas Holm’s encouraging words:
“Sometimes life is just like walking
Against the wind
When the storms around me blow
Jesus, please don’t let me go
Take my hand and lead me on
Against the wind.”
(Dallas Holm, 1986)
Considering this exploration of challenging times, I think of 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV), which encourages me: “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” According to Paul, while doing the Lord’s work, we should stand firm and let nothing move us – not even the wind! While obediently carrying out the work the Lord has placed before us to do, Philippians (4:13/NIV) provides reassures of our power and success through Jesus Christ: “I can do all this through Him (Jesus Christ) who gives me strength.” Amen! Stand firm and unwavering while doing the Lord’s work– even against the wind!
Many blessings to you!
Reference:
Against the Wind,” Dallas Holm (1986)
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
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