John 6:19-21 (ESV)

The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

It was a tough situation. “The Sea of Galilee is six hundred feet below sea level, in a cuplike depression among the hills. When the sun sets, the air cools; and as the cooler air from the west rushes down over the hillside, the resultant wind churns the lake. Since the disciples were rowing toward Capernaum, they were heading into the wind; consequently, they made little progress.” (Tenney)

Sometimes life feels like a constant headwind, doesn’t it? Nothing is easy and even the smallest things seems to take a lot more effort. You get tried. You get frustrated. You get angry. People wonder what’s gotten into you and you have neither the interest nor the energy to explain. Like the disciples, when we get into a tough situation, we can get so focused on our circumstances that we forget to look for Jesus…or are shocked to see Him show up. When a man approaches your boat at night on the sea—walking on the water—who else could it be? The disciples had not called out for His help, yet he showed up, anyway.

It’s important to note that, “They were in this place of frustration at the will of Jesus, doing exactly what He told them to do. Additionally, Mark 6:48 says that Jesus watched the disciples as they rowed across the lake. His eye was on them all the time. They were in the will of Jesus and watched by Jesus yet working hard in frustration all the time” (Enduring Word commentary). Have you ever been frustrated by your lack of progress in some work that the LORD has called you to? We like to say that he always enables the called, but is that a guarantee that the calling will then be easy? Does Jesus guarantee you a nice, smooth flight…or does he tell you to buckle-up because you may encounter some turbulence? In life, as with most flights, you will get both.

“It is I; do not be afraid.”

We would do well to remember this scene, because it reminds us of our present reality, be it smooth or choppy. Jesus will never leave you nor forsake you (Deut. 31:6). He is well aware of the condition of your boat ride, and he knows exactly what you are facing. He knows when you need to struggle against the headwinds, and he knows when he needs to come alongside your boat to bring you to dry land. We don’t get to pick the wind conditions or the size of the waves, but we do get to pick whether we will trust Him or not. Remarkably, His goodness and faithfulness are not determined by our own. Jesus sees. Jesus knows. And at the right time, He will come to you in your boat and bring you to dry land.