"On The Other Side."

There's always an "other side". When you are "here", you could always be "there". Here, there, or anywhere, wherever you look, there you are.

Where are you?

Those of us in pastoral leadership often see where you are better than you do. If it is true that "wherever you look, there you are", then that's all you generally see. The disinterested, almost annoyed looks. The blank stares. It's called "countenance". Your countenance is your greatest tool of evangelism. You never even have to open your mouth and people know you have been with Jesus.

If I see poor countenance, then I see what every other person sees, and I also see a greater chance of failure when the storm strikes.

People, even believers, seldom look to where they could (or should) be. The world (in or out of the Church) is often content to just be where they are. Good or bad.

Have you considered the deeper meaning of the storm at sea?

Mark 4:35 - "Let us pass over to the other side."

Jesus wanted to take the disciples to the "other side".

The "other side" is not just the other side of the lake.

It's where life is.

He wants to take you to the other side.

Or the "next level."

There are object lessons that He will allow or even orchestrate in your life to shake us out of our doldrums.

In the case of the disciples it was a horrendous mind shaking storm in a little boat on a big sea. Yes, it scared the wits out of them. It was designed that way. Jesus wanted to show them Jesus, and how short they were from being anything like Him.

We connect with the compassionate, loving, merciful, kind, beautiful Jesus. That's fine, but if you do not connect with the total Jesus there is a risk you will stagnate into a touchy-feely love bunny and never gain the toughness to face up against the evil of the world, or even the everyday storms of life.

Sometimes you have to be a warrior and stand up. This is what Jesus was trying to show them.

Mark 4:40 - "Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?"

Yes, exactly how is that?

It's because the disciples, were not paying attention to what was going on around them as they walked with Jesus. They didn't hear Him. They existed on the excitement of one miracle and sign after another, never really understanding that Jesus was expecting them to be just like Him. They ignored His constant reminders that He was going to have to leave them. He even told them flat out that He was going to have to die, resurrect, and ascend back to His Father. They remained woefully unprepared.

You've sat in church long enough. You've heard all the messages. You've prayed. Read the Word. Got ministered to.

Haven't you?

So...where are you?


Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><