Sea of Me

When the Children of Israel ('C of I') started their historic Biblical exodus, there were many 'outsiders' that also joined the procession. The Bible refers to this tag-along-throng as the "mixed multitude". Most of this group were quite worldly-wise and brought with them their own contribution. For the most part, this contribution was not very positive. Some authors advise that this mixed-group instigated the social unrest that led to the doubt and blame that was so pervasive on the journey. In fact, Hollywood's movies that have been created about the mass exodus, portrays several vocal 'Downers' (Danny and Debbie) wandering and inciting doom and gloom! Since the group was a mix of  personalities and experiences, it's easy to imagine that it consisted of curious onlookers, friends, casual acquaintances, beggars, prostitutes, thieves, believers of other gods (faiths), co-workers, schoolmates and some who were genuinely seeking truth. There were essentially people from all of Israel's walks of  life.  

In a much different setting we see a similar scenario. When Jesus and His disciples set sail across the Sea of Galilee, they too had many "others" that followed them; people from all walks of life. For a brief moment, Satan was allowed to harness the winds, swirl the waters, and drag the I.J.S. Disciple-ship (In Jesus' Service) through an intensely soul-searching experience. What many fail to grasp is that other boats and their passengers had also set sail and by association, had experienced the same storm. In fact, because Jesus was NOT in the boat of the others, you would think that the 'others' would have experienced even more fear!

Did you ever stop to consider that during BOTH stories and ALL the experiences, the Exodus, the 'Disciple drenching' AND 'others' in the flotilla, Jesus was still with EACH person?! You might have caught the lesson well ahead of me but the fact surprised me. Let me reiterate for effect and affect. 

Here goes: During both events, Jesus the Christ was well aware of the needs of EACH disciple, each tag-along-throng member, each flotilla member and each person feeling unworthy, or perhaps TOO WORTHY! (Peter, but THAT'S another story!) Regardless of whether Jesus is physically IN our boat (mine and/or yours), we need to accept that Jesus knows where your are traveling, where you are 'floating'. All we need to do is REALIZE that an absence from God is essentially an enslavement into the world; a slow downward spiral into the 'Sea of  Me'. What each of us can see, is our self!

If I had been in the Children of Israel (C of I) mixed-multitude...somewhere, I would like to believe that I would have been near the front of the line, looking ahead, seeing what would be next, obeying, always praising, praying and singing.... but you and I know that NONE of us can do those things ALL the time! There are times when I have to admit, I do doubt just where I would be. Would I be leading? following?; perhaps just 'in the way'? (As an aside, it's odd how the expression "in the way" has come to have a negative connotation. Perhaps we should consider the words as a more positive or more Heavenly expression... like...."In the Way"; Heavenly way.)

Consider this: We are still on a journey. Much like the 'C of  I'  and/or the Sea of Galilee Flotilla, we are still wandering. All too often we seek and find new gods. Regardless, God STILL cares! Ask God to point out the demons of  distraction. Ask God to shut the mouth of the 'Downers'. If YOU have been that person, ask God to get you on track to the Promised Land! It's STILL available, through Jesus the Christ, one step at at time! ~Pray /\