The Joy of Rowing

“Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.”—Mark 6:30-32 (New Living Translation)

But instead of a get-away-from-it-all moment, people and life’s demands just wouldn’t quit, and wound up following them relentlessly. It may have felt a little like these two guys. And just about all of us have been in that boat (maybe even this week).

Like the disciples, however, perhaps some of our most re-energizing and practical places of rest happen not by arriving at a particular destination but while we’re rowing hard on to the next thing...all the while talking with Jesus, asking Him questions about things big and small, and praying, all intermingled with long segments of comfortable silence. God with us, indeed.

It's here where we can discover that “The joy of the Lord is my strength” is more than just a song or bumper sticker, or a compartmentalized Sunday morning thing, but supernatural fuel for every day...no matter what may be waiting around the next cove.

"The Lord Jesus is a deep sea of joy; my soul shall dive therein, and shall be swallowed up in the delights of His society."(Charles Spurgeon)

[ADAPTED FROM 2-9-14]