You are Welcome Here
I’ve never stayed on an island before and it was interesting to experience all the steps involved in getting there. Yes we could have flown in, but that would have required a long layover and I wanted to ride the ferry so that I would be able to help my clients that will visit the same island.
The ferry transfer took approximately 45 minutes each way. While watching the mainland slowly fade from view I looked at the vastness of the ocean. Shallow areas were lighter green in color and then there was the deep blue. The further away from shore we sailed, the darker the water became.
On the arrival transfer the wind was blowing and made big waves. There were several other ferries crossing the waters as well as catamarans and small fishing boats. I would watch as the small boats bounced across the waves and swells, thinking of how intimidating that would be in such a small vessel.
During the week as I would sit on the beach in the early morning, watching the many fishing boats as the workers were preparing the nets and gear for the day and taking travelers out on excursions. I thought of the boats that Peter, James and John must have owned and how their daily routine would have been similar.
When the boats returned later in the day they were greeted by other workers and family members eager to hear about the days’ adventures. I began to wonder what it would be like to be sitting by the dock, seeing a small fishing boat arrive with several men aboard and Jesus stepping off onto the beach.
He would then begin speaking and telling everyone who would listen stories about God and how to live in a relationship with Him. Wouldn’t that be amazing? Many times in the bible He did just that. It says that He crossed over the Sea of Galilee, walked along the sea and on the sea.
The response from the people He met in each place was different. Some ran ahead to meet Him. Some hurried to tell others that He had arrived and to come see the Messiah. Sadly others asked Him to leave.
Some of the people desperately sought Him out to be healed, some like Andrew, brought others to meet the promised Savior. Others listened only to find fault and ridicule Him. But everyone left changed. They could not deny what they saw or heard whether they chose to follow Him or not.
There were messages of grace, love and hope and there were messages of discipline and repentance that was needed. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever, so those same messages are for us.
How are we receiving His message? Are we acknowledging our need for a Savior, repenting and changing? Or are we trying to find fault in His message or even rejecting it? Is He welcome on your shores or are you asking Him to leave because you want to remain the same?
Thinking about this I noticed that it sometimes depends on the message. The lessons on discipline and my need to change are harder to accept. I eagerly embrace the messages of love, grace and acceptance.
When Jesus stepped onto the shore He brought the whole message. Accepting Him and welcoming Him into your life is inviting all of Him, not bits and pieces. The same heart that anticipates His arrival as He draws close and runs to meet Him, needs to take in the messages of change that are given from His heart of love.
He will cross any ocean, walk every shoreline and even walk on water to reach us. How incredible is that! I hope my response will be, “Jesus, You are welcome here! Come change my life, make me more like You.”
My prayer
Father, thank you for the way that You pursue me. You have moved heaven and earth to reach me and I’m so grateful for Your persistence. Lord Jesus You are welcome in my life. Please step in and change whatever needs to be changed and make me new. Your ways are good and I can trust Your plan for my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Where does my help come from?
Hebrews 13:8
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Revelation 22:20
“Come, Lord Jesus.”