Don't let Him pass you by!

"[Jesus] saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, 'Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.'" -Mark 6:48-50

Isn't this fascinating? Jesus saw the struggles of His disciples in the rough waters, and when He walked on the water, He was about to pass them by. If it weren't for the disciples' cries, Jesus might have kept walking along. But, He knew (and we know) that He wouldn't pass by - Jesus heard the cries of His disciples and reminded them how safe they really were. But, that's the thing - Jesus is always within earshot; He sees our struggles and makes every part of Him available to us. All we need to do is call upon His name - He is faithful. Though the disciples did not recognize Jesus walking on the water (being fishermen, they had experienced many situations in their life on water - despite all of that, this encounter was one-of-a-kind), their cries still drew their Savior near. It's just like a baby who is crying. The reason for the baby's tears could be one of many: hunger, fatigue, being frightened. Whatever the reason, the baby's parent will come, upon hearing those cries, to meet the needs of the child and assuage him/her. Our Father in heaven is no different:

"Hear my prayer, O LORD;
listen to my cry for mercy.
In the day of my trouble I will call to you,
for you will answer me." -Psalm 86:6-7

Christianity is a very believer-driven way of life.

• "Thou shalt not steal." -Exodus 20:15.
• "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." -Deuteronomy 6:5.
• "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." -Matthew 22:39.
• "For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." -Matthew 7:8

These are commands of God and acts of men. God wants us to enact His will here on earth. If we are proactive, then God will work mighty things through us. But, we must call out, in full confidence that our Lord is close, He will hear us and He will come to our rescue.