Getting out the boat!
Earlier this week I had a weird day.
No scratch that, it’s been a weird week.
A week where I’ve felt a lot of fear come up. The should-have-done’s, the what-if-that-happens, the am-I-going-to-be-crippled-by-this’… Being human. It’s a ride!
My hips were tight. No surprises there. That’s often where fear and identity issues express themselves (more on that in my upcoming yoga therapy sessions!) So I took myself to the place I find peace and affirmation. My yoga mat. My prayer time.
In praying I was lead to Matthew 14 v 22 – 33. The passage is as follows:
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
If you’re in the midst of a life storm, here is something Jesus wants you to know.
- 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Sometimes what we fear is Jesus! The storm you’re in might not be coming to disrupt you, it might be Him clearing your path. Creating a new direction for you. Release it.
- 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. You have to – you must – get out the boat. Comfort is not where dreams thrive. Jesus is asking you to get out of the boat. He is not giving you a justification or a thesis on why you can do the impossible. He simply asks you to come. And that has to be enough. That is faith.
- 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” It’s not enough to get out the boat. We have to keep our eyes fixed on Him. And the fact that He is stronger than our fear. Be careful of what you let into your heart once you’ve left the comfort of your boat. Keep your eyes on Him.
- 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” He will never leave you. Nor forsake you. That’s a promise. Praise Him by having your faith locked in on Him.
I know life can be full of the most difficult of turns, but there is peace in Him. Seek that. Rest in that.
If you need some help in getting your mind to slow down, these are great yoga poses to give a try:
And on that note… My yoga therapy bookings are going to be opening soon! So if you’d like to be kept in the loop for when they’re released – let me know here!
Cands xo
PS: If you’d like to see what upcoming events & workshops I have on the go, click here.
