God’s Agenda

There is something about evening time that changes things. In the medical profession they speak of sundowning in patients with dementia – evening time causes confusion, anxiety, wandering, pacing and insomnia.

Evening time has the unique ability to transform any setting – lines become blurred, shadows grow, light dissipates, your mind fills in the blanks. It’s becomes a canvas painted with revelations and nuances and fears.

John 6:16 – 21 “And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, and entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. But He saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at land whither they went.”

Lines are blurred in society today. We are living in a blended generation. People are unaware of the direction they are heading. This world is seeking to define itself – label and categorize and validate their own existence with words, phrases, acronyms. It’s evening time and they simply cannot see Jesus. They cannot love what they don’t know.

Psalms 42:1, “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, So panteth my soul after thee, O God.” The Easy-to-Read Version states, “Like a deer drinking from a stream, I reach out to you, my God.”

The storm wasn’t the real issue. Veteran fisherman, hardened by long days on the water, manned the oars. They had faced the torrential rains and gale force winds before. God wasn’t testing their seamanship – God was wanting to give them a testimony. In the dark, when there is no visible answer, and Jesus seems far removed from you, Can you still trust God? Can you place your hand in His when its evening time and the shadows grow long and the light is fading?

God’s ability exceeds our ability to comprehend. His agenda must supersede our agenda. You have been going through dark times. You have had moments when you felt all alone. Fear, anxiety, loneliness, depression, heartbreak, doubt, regret have clawed at you and made you feel like giving up. But God brought you this way for a reason. It’s not about the storm. Storms come and storms go – but can you see Jesus? Are you willing to trust God? Are you willing to reach out to Him when He seems absent from your life?

God’s ways are perfect. Our God is not on trial. He already proved that He loves you. You are the very heartbeat of God.

Romans 5:8 reads, “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ Died for us.”

Psalms 34:8 reads, “O taste and see that the LORD is good: Blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.”

It these times in our lives that shape us and mold us. The lonely moments, the anxious moments, the times of waiting for an answer. They are uncomfortable. Waves of misfortunate circumstances slamming into us, the darkness settling all about us, our inability to see a way clear of this tumult, ready to give up and give in but its then we get a glimpse of Jesus heading our direction.

John 6:21 “…Then they willingly received Him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at land whither they went.” Another translation reads, “…suddenly the boat reached the shore where they were headed.”

God’s got a plan. Miracles are never born out of comfort. If you could fix it, it wouldn’t be a miracle. The storm was not a problem for God. Luke 1:37, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” It’s God’s agenda that is important. It’s the journey that God is concerned with. He wants to move you from where you are existing to where you can thrive. 

Love and prayers, Pastor Jack Smith