Rocking the Boat

AM Psalm 97, 99, [100] • PM Psalm 94, [95]
Jer. 17:19-27 • Rom. 7:13-25 • John 6:16-27

Is your boat on smooth or rough water?

Do you ever feel like your faith journey is like sitting in a boat? Sometimes you are on smooth water but other times your boat is on rough water and the wind is blowing you all over the place and you just can’t find the right direction to row in. But then you look up and Jesus is right there with you. Before you know it, you are on solid ground and you realize you are exactly where you are supposed to be.

That is kind of the way sin works as Romans says “I do not do what I want to do, but I do the things I hate.” We say the same thing in our confession of sin. We have sinned by what we have done and the things we have left undone.

I am a sinner! No matter how hard I try I am going to rock my boat. I am going to slip up or let something slip out that is going to make for rough waters. I have done the things I hate. Dang it! Rowing our boats is hard work and even discouraging at times.

We just have to hang on because God gives us “the food that endures for eternal life.” That food is forgiveness and grace. Jesus, the “Son of Man” gave that to us. God set His seal on Jesus and Jesus sets His seal on us in Baptism. We are “sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ’s own forever.” So, when your boat gets to rockin’ remember Jesus will be there walking across the rough water to lead you to solid ground.

Written by Chris Schaefer

Just trying to keep my boat from rocking too much!