5:164 – Same Ocean, Different Boats

#faithbites #faithjourney ocean

Intro

Have you ever heard or said the phrase, “We’re all in the same boat?” I used to say that a lot. The intent is that we are all going through the same thing and it’s meant for us to bond. What I’m learning is we aren’t in the same boat but in the same ocean. There are turbulent seas but someone in a yacht can weather it better than someone in a dingy. Some in a cruise liner, with a full crew, can handle whatever the ocean throws at them. Yes, it’s still hard, but it’s a different hard. We shouldn’t compare how hard life is, when it can just suck for everyone no matter what boat you are in.

Questions

• What does it feel like when “everyone is going through the same thing?”
• Do you feel that you are struggling more or less than someone else?
• How does God help us through the storms in the ocean, no matter the boat we are in?

Scripture

• 1 Corinthians 10:13 – No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
• 1 Timothy 5:8 –  Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
• Mark 4:38-40 – ³⁸ Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” ³⁹ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. ⁴⁰ He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Reflection

We are all in the stormy sea. Sometimes it feels like Jesus is sleeping below deck and not helping but the disciples never asked him to. When they did, he told the winds to be quiet and the storm stopped. We may not have Jesus sleeping in our boat, but he is there. It doesn’t matter if our boat is a dingy or a cruise liner. Nothing we are going through is foreign to God. He has seen it all. He will help us through it.

At the same time, he tells us to help one another out. If we are struggling in the cruiseliner, we may have additional resources to help the person in the dingy. Throw them a line, bring them aboard, and help them.

As we close, remember that we are all in the same ocean. Sometimes the seas are calm, other days it’s crazy with high waves. It may be easier for us to weather it than others, but it’s up to us, to help each other. It’s what God wants us to do. Our pain isn’t better or worse than others, but we may have more resources to help others while we are struggling.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, remind us, remind everyone that we are not alone. Help us to realize that we are all struggling but that we can still help, even if we are struggling. You tell us it is better to give than receive. Help us come to you, ask for help, and while you are giving it to us, let us be your heart and hands to give it to someone else. We pray this in your name. Amen.