You Have Arrived!

You Have Arrived!
Forest Flowers
Free PDF Download

“He [Jesus] said to them, ‘It is I. Do not be afraid.’ Therefore, they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.” (John 6:20-21)

Jesus had travelled an arduous four-day journey north from Jerusalem to Tiberias on the western side of the Sea of Galilee where a great crowd had followed Him because of the miracles He performed.

Then, after feeding over 5,000 people from just five loaves and two fish (with 12 baskets of bread fragments left over), the people wanted to make Him king. So, Jesus withdrew from them to a mountain to be alone.

As darkness approached, Jesus’ beloved fishermen-disciples crossed the Sea in their boat to Capernaum on the northern side. John tells us they had rowed three to four miles into the dark wind. I wonder what they were wondering. Where had Jesus disappeared to? He was their Rabbi, the Teacher they followed and spent nights with. Where should they go? What should they do? They decided to row home. Then Jesus came to them, walking on the Sea.

Back in the 1990s I heard a song. The lyrics have reverberated in my soul since then – Then Jesus came and made it right. He brought healing, peace, and light. Then Jesus came – personally to me in 1980 and ever since then, He comes to me in the night.

Jesus came to His disciples as they made their way home – tired, most likely uncertain about the future, and afraid. When Jesus came and spoke to them, they received Him into their boat, into the vehicle of their livelihood, into their journey home, into their lives. And suddenly, they were where they needed to be.

When we receive Jesus the Messiah, we have arrived. Jesus is our Destination. He is our Final Prize.

This morning, I happened upon a journal entry from May of last year. Here are the words the Lord spoke to me that day, “Stop pursuing your dream. Stop. Just be Mine. Look at Me. Love Me. Only Me. If I am the Only One Who sees the beautiful cluster of your heart, it is o.k. Stop looking for an outlet, a birth, a release. I birth. I bring forth in the fullness of time. Rest. Enjoy Me. I delight in you. Like a clump of forest flowers that no one sees, it is enough that I see you.”

As we abide in Him, He takes the responsibility for our future. “The integrity of the upright will guide them.” (Proverbs 11:3a) He guides us as we walk with Him. Keep your focus on Him, delight in Him, and “He will bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5) and you will be exactly where He intends for you to be. Absolute trust is needed.

From the time I was in my teens, I wanted at least 12 children. I had made up my mind. But that was not what happened at all. I am now at the age where most of my friends, family, and neighbors revel in the presence of their grandchildren. I would, too. It is easy for me to be envious, but then Jesus comes. And
I choose joy and gratitude for the calling on my life that He gave in His sovereignty and His redemption of my past.

You and I have arrived at our Destination. Jesus is our Destination. He is our Alpha and Omega, our Beginning and End (Revelation 21:5-6). He is the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2). He is our Bread (John 6:48), our Shepherd (Psalm 23:1; John 10), our Light (John 8:12), our Water (John 4), our Resurrection and Life (John 11:25). He is the Only Way and the Only Truth (John 14:6). He has become our Salvation, our Wisdom, our Righteousness, our Sanctification, and our Redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Father, I choose joy today! I abide in You. Teach me to abide. Thank You that I have everything I need, and You will lead me in Your time. You are nearer than my own heart! I worship You!

Shale Fragments™ - devotionals by Beth Ann Phifer is a division of Flower Girl Greetings, LLC. ©2020, All Rights Reserved.
Blessings and love in Him,
Beth Ann
Tiberias as seen at night from the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, 12/31/2019

Tiberias as seen from a boat on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee, 12/31/2019