Into the Deep: Rowing Toward the Cries
OPENING PRAYER:
Holy Spirit, guide our hearts to hear Your call and give us the courage to row into the darkness, seeking those who are lost and in need of Your love. May we be moved by compassion and driven by Your mission.
"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'"
REFLECT:
The story of lifeboat number 14 from the Titanic, as shared in the message, paints a vivid picture of our mission as followers of Christ. While other lifeboats stayed at a safe distance, lifeboat number 14 rowed back into the darkness, seeking to save those who were drowning. This is a powerful metaphor for our calling as Christians. Jesus, in Matthew 9, exemplifies this mission by going to the towns and villages, not waiting for people to come to Him. He saw the crowds, felt their pain, and was moved to act.
In our lives, it's easy to stay in our comfort zones, much like the lifeboats that kept their distance. We often get caught up in our routines, ignoring the cries of those around us who are spiritually drowning. The message challenges us to reflect on whether we are on our mission or God's mission. Are we willing to row into the darkness, to go where others might not want to go, and to reach out to those who are harassed and helpless?
Jesus' compassion was not passive; it was active and transformative. He saw beyond the surface, recognizing the deeper needs of the people. This is a call for us to open our eyes and hearts, to truly see and feel the struggles of those around us. When we do, we are compelled to act, to bring the light of Christ into the darkest places.
Let us be inspired by the example of Jesus and the story of lifeboat number 14. May we be willing to leave our comfort zones, to row into the deep, and to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a world that desperately needs His love and hope.
I WILL STATEMENT:
I will write an "I Will" statement that captures my personal commitment to embody the principles of going, seeing, feeling, asking, and praying in my life. I will remind myself that my willingness to go and show compassion can be the light that guides someone out of darkness and into the hope of Christ.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for the privilege of being part of Your mission. Help us to see and feel the needs of those around us, and give us the courage to act. May we be Your light in the darkness, bringing hope and salvation to those who are lost. Amen.