Straining at the Oars

This morning we are continuing in our series - Unshakable: Running the Race Set Before Us.

Last Sunday we talked about running the race God has set before us… to run well we need to lay aside those thing that weight us down.

We also need to remember that we are not running alone - we have all those who came before us, those who are currently with us, and most importantly - Jesus.

This morning our message is titled: Straining at the Oars.

Mark 6:47–51 CSB

47 Well into the night, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 He saw them straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Very early in the morning he came toward them walking on the sea and wanted to pass by them. 49 When they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke with them and said, “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 51 Then he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. They were completely astounded,

In chapter 6 we have just concluded the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5000 men (12,000 plus is you consider women and children)

At the end of witnessing this miracle Jesus does something to drive home what has just happened Mark 6:43 “43 They picked up twelve baskets full of pieces of bread and fish.” - each of the disciples received their own basket full of food, their own provision for their faithfulness in serving.

Now Jesus went off to pray alone and sent the disciples ahead of Him.

Life and ministry can be a struggle.

The wind is not always at our back, thing don’t always go smoothly.

Jesus never promised us that it would be easy.

It’s important to note that the disciples are in the position they are in because Jesus sent them - Mark 6:45 “45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.”

We often assume a struggle means we are out of God’s will, but often the headwind is proof we are heading in the right direction.

Most people think the Wright Brothers flew because of a calm day. In reality, they sought out Kitty Hawk because of its consistent, strong winds. They learned that a plane rises against the wind, not with it. Even modern day jets (especially Navy) launch into the wind.

Our “spiritual life” often comes from the very resistance we are fighting.

The most faithful thing we can do… just keep rowing.

The Greek word for “straining” suggests being tormented or battered.

Progress wasn’t being made… (tell story of me and dad with the dead motor)

They may not have been making much forward progress but by continuing to row they at least maintained their position.

Faithfulness isn’t always moving at high speed - sometimes it’s just refusing to let go of the oars.

Jesus see our struggles

The disciples had been rowing for approximately 9 hours - Jesus wasn’t surprised by the wind and He wasn’t surprised to see them struggling

He also didn’t drop what He was doing to run and save them the minute it got difficult.

When it says Jesus “wanted to pass them by” this doesn’t mean He wanted to walk by and ignore them… He was want to “reveal” Himself to them - Just as God “passed by” Moses and Elijah to reveal His glory.

Jesus’ timing is perfect - the struggle and time in the struggle allows our faith to be refined before He intervenes.

Take heart - Jesus’ sees us no matter how dark things look, no matter how far away the goal seem, and no matter how hard the struggles.

Jesus brings peace in the midst of our struggles.

Jesus could have stopped the storm without ever setting foot on the water

Instead He join them in the middle of the very thing that was terrifying them.

You’ve probably heard this before but - peace isn’t the absence of storms but the presence of the Savior in the boat with us.

Sometimes faithfulness doesn’t feel like a spiritual victory. It just feels like a long, exhausting shift that you can’t quit. The disciples weren’t trying to be heroes; they were just stuck in the middle of a lake, doing exactly what Jesus told them too do, and it was miserable. They were exhausted, the weren’t getting anywhere, and it felt like they were on their own.

If that’s where you are, feeling like you’re working yourself to the bone with nothing to show for it, don’t mistake your exhaustion for failure. You’re still at it, and that’s what matters. Jesus didn’t forget about the disciples, and He hasn’t lost track of you either. He sees the effort it is taking for you to show up and keep going.

He doesn’t wait for things too calm down before He shows up; He will meet you right in the middle of the mess. He is not looking for a polished version of you. He is coming to sit right there in the boat with the tired, frustrated version of you.

You aren’t doing this alone, and you aren’t doing it unseen. Stay with it, keep pulling at the oars, Jesus is already on the way.