Jesus, in Mark 4:35, asks His disciples to cross over with Him from where He had been teaching to the other side of the sea. They got into a boat, and we read from vs. 37-41 an account of how great winds came against them. Jesus eventually stopped the winds and waves with a word, to the amazement of His disciples. Well, who wouldn’t be amazed? I would!
In Chapter 5 they reach the other side - the country of the Gadarenes where they encounter a mad man possessed with 1000 demons. The madman was delivered and set free by the Lord.
A minister friend who preached at our church recently talked about how the wind and waves were demonic forces seeking to stop the freedom that was about to happen on the other side. Friend, we each have the other side waiting for us in one form or the other. You have made attempts, sowed seeds, worked hard, prayed, invested, changed relationships, leaving toxicity behind, and yet there is some resistance. If that’s your story, welcome to the club of the “other-siders.”
I call you an “other-sider” because you will get to the other side sane, safe, and sound. Why do I believe this? Because God has given you all you need to get to the next level. If you doubt this, it is probably because you haven’t made time for Him. You notice that they got into the boat “with Him.” Friends, He has to be in the boat with you, not outside. I know Jesus is in the boat with me as I talk to Him and hear Him whisper back to me. I know He’s in your boat when a word of scripture pops up in your mind as you face complex challenges.
God is with you. Never forget that! Be blessed now and always. Go on to the other side, “othersider.”
AH