In the midst of the storm

When I often think of Jesus I get pictures of sitting with Him in a garden or a stream. Everything seems so plush and beautiful. The world seems so peaceful and I don't want to leave this place. But in reality, life is not really like that very often. It seems the more I find myself trying to be in the center of God's will the harder it gets. I often think, "it shouldn't be this hard." Why does it feel like there is opposition on every side? I wonder, "if this was Jesus would it be this hard for Him?" And somehow I think it wouldn't be so hard.

But in all reality the more Jesus entered into the very crux of His ministry the harder it got. I'm in a group right now and we are going through the book of Mark. I read chapter three today. In just that chapter the religious leaders are trying to trap Him into breaking the Sabbath by healing a man's hand, demons are yelling out His name, He is accused of being out of His mind by His own family, and the religious leaders say He is demon possessed. He just can't seem to be understood. He is trying to do all the things His Father has asked of Him and yet in the eyes of others He falls short. But it was because they didn't see Jesus for who He truly is. They saw Him through hardened hearts and blurred vision.

But Jesus did not lose focus. In the midst of opposition He forged ahead and touched those who reached out to Him. It seemed it was always the path of resistance that carved out His purpose more clearly. And it's often in those stormy times that I find God. Where I step out of the boat in the storm and go to Him because I know without Him I will surely drown. And it's not the storm that makes me stronger but the step I take toward Him that gives me the strength.