July 17

Toiling in Rowing

He could see that the disciples were straining to row, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea. He intended to pass by them, — Mark 6:48 BSB

Jesus always sees our toils and struggles in this life. We may not see Him, and sometimes we think He’s forgotten us, but that’s never the case. He’s never indifferent, not for a moment. On the heights of Sedan, while the battle raged below, stood a group of men watching the armies clash in the valley. Among them was General Sheridan, watching the battle with the expert eye of a soldier. King William was there too, but his interest was different. His son was in the thick of the fight, and he watched with the heart of both a king and a father.

Christ watches our struggles in this world. He sees us laboring, battling, and striving. He sees us in the waves and in the storms. He doesn’t look with the detached eye of a mere spectator, but with the tenderest love. This is a great truth—if we can hold it in our hearts, it will give us tremendous courage in our moments of hardship, sorrow, or conflict. Jesus knows when the battle is fierce, when the night is dark, when the temptation is more than we think we can bear.

Here, the disciples faced contrary winds, even though Christ had sent them out on the sea. We learn from this that even when we are doing exactly what God has called us to do, we may face opposition and great difficulties. We may even be pushed back, finding the resistance too strong for us. Many of Christ’s disciples must sail through very stormy seas on their journey to glory. For some, duty is hard—indeed, a true, noble, active life is always met with opposition and "contrary winds." "The law of headwinds in life is hidden in the secret love of God. When the voyage is over, perhaps we shall be allowed to see the charts and understand why it had to be."