The Other Side

When evening came, Jesus' disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 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 terrified. But he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going. The next day the crowd that had stayed on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there. They also saw that Jesus had not got into the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. Then some boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.

When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal."John 6:16-27 

It has been a very full day in a very full set of weeks. We have spent time packing up our belongings and setting out on the road to our new home. Every trip is a challenge and an adventure and every move seems a little more complicated and frustrating. We are only a few hours from our new place but have to sojourn while we wait for a car repair. Sometimes the little, perishable things of life can seem as great sign or curse from on high.

The people who were following Jesus were confused and confounded when he showed up where they did not expect him. His disciples were in awe of his ability to ignore physics and get where he needed to go. The rest of us mortals would love to be able to get around gravity and time. We are invited today to not get bogged down by the physical challenges of living, but rather seek God in the midst of the trials and tribulations of life. 

At the end of a very long day I give thanks to God for one day of safe travel and ask for continued guidance and protection on the road. May we not be so anxious about getting to the other side, rather embrace the love and blessings we have on our way.