From the Pulpit: ‘Take courage’ when ‘straining at the oars’ of life

One of my favorite places to be this time of the year is a place called Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. It is a place where you can get away from all the usual demands of life. But it is also a place where there is no shelter, and the weather can sometimes be a concern. There have been times when paddling a canoe across a lake has been challenging – and sometimes more than just challenge when waves make canoeing really, REALLY difficult.

Jesus’ disciples often traveled by boat across the Sea of Galilee, and sometimes while they were in the boat, the wind and the waves made navigating the sea difficult. During one instance (see Mark 6:45-51), as the disciples were going across the Sea of Galilee, the wind came up and the disciples were “straining at the oars”. In other words, they were having a hard time making any headway.

Jesus was not with them in the boat, but he was by himself praying. Late, during the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the water, and he saw them “straining at the oars.” When they saw him coming towards them, they were terrified and cried out because they thought he was a ghost. He told them, “Take courage. It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down.

Sometimes in our lives we are “straining at the oars.” It may be in a relationship that is not going well; maybe hurtful words have been said, or there is resentment causing “wind and waves” and “straining at the oars.” Maybe we are “straining at the oars” in a financial way – struggling to make any headway. Or maybe, we are “straining at the oars” with health troubles, and it seems the “wind and the waves” are beating hard against our boat.

Jesus meets us out on the sea of life and comes into our boat with us. Maybe the “wind and the waves” are still raging, but Jesus gives us peace in our boat even as the “wind blows” and the “waves pound against our boat”. When we are “straining at the oars”, Jesus invites us, “Take courage,” and he assures us of his presence, “It is I. Do not be afraid.”