“When we are in tumultuous waters, our temptation is to try to swim. To doggy paddle, stay afloat, and tread water; to keep your head above the waves by any means necessary. To desperately try not to drown. Christ’s invitation, however, is surprising and unexpected — and exceedingly superior. It also proves far more “spiritual” and miraculous than we tend to have imagined.

He outstretches His hand. He reaches out to grab us. He invites us up, onto the waves. He says we can join Him, up where He is. Life in Christ has nothing to do with effort. No amount of effort can help you walk on water. That would be silly. And no amount of effort can help you live free from sin. “The righteous shall live by faith.” It was never supposed to ‘make sense’. It’s by the Spirit.

Christ’s invitation is to join Him in His nap; to grab our own covers and pillow and sleep right alongside Him, even while the storm rages outside and the boat rocks to and fro. It’s not in denial of the things happening around us — but it certainly is in spite of them. Christ’s invitation is not to tread water, but to walk on it. To join Him where He is — high up upon ‘mount perspective’ where we see things from His point of view. His divine perspective of our lives is always so much better than ours, isn’t it? Christ invites us to sit down and enjoy dinner with Him, though surrounded by enemies who want to take our life. He says, “Keep your eyes locked with mine. Don’t look at them. Look at Me. 

Jake Callaway

Photo by Marcus Woodbridge on Unsplash