The other morning there was a knock at our front door. Our dear ‘across the street’ neighbor stood there with a potted plant for our front stoop. We have chatted quite a few times in the months that we have been living here. She knows of our plans to go to Spain and that we are discerning a call to cross cultural mission. She often will stop in just to say “hello” or bring some fresh flowers picked from her garden; candy for the kids. She comes from a simpler era when neighbors knew one another and spent time inside one anothers’ front doors.
Anyway, on this particular morning, she also asked us to write each of our names down on a piece of paper. She told us that she likes to pray for us, but keeps forgetting our names. She also said: “I think it is important to pray for those who go overboard!” She must have seen the surprised and puzzled expression on Eric’s face and quickly realized that she had mis-spoken!
“I mean, those of us who stay need to pray for those of you who go…overseas!”
We had a good chuckle, later, around the table; tickled by her slip of words. But really…she wasn’t so far off, was she?
In a way we are “going overboard”…stepping out of the boat…into the water! We hear the call of our Lord asking us to trust Him. We are exiting the safety and comfort of the known for the risk and adventure of the unknown. We are dismantling the life we thought we were building; changing course. We realize that there are some dangers in stepping out. We understand that the potential of getting hurt or at least a little messy is very great. We may sink.
However, we believe that along with all of those possible outcomes, there are also promises. The promise that the Lord who calls also provides. The promise that God is not safe…but He is good and just. The promise that to suffer for Christ is to gain. The assurance that if and when the hardships arise and threaten to overtake us; we simply have to cry out “Lord, save me!”.
Relief may not be immediate. Comfort may be delayed. Redemption can come slowly. But it will come. If we keep our eyes on Jesus and remain focused on His voice…it will come. If not in this life, then in the next. It. Will. Come.
So with all the faith we can muster; doing the preparatory work that is ours to do and leaving room for God to do the work that is His to do…we take a deep breath, and we step out into this surrendered life! Stronger, bolder and encouraged by the knowledge that our precious neighbor lifts us up in prayer to our Heavenly Father…who will never forget our names.
Love it baby – going overboard with you is a blast!
I think you just invented a new kingdom term: overboarding.
“Why’s that family going to Spain?”
“Oh, they’re overboarding.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah. Not sure what happened. They were good church-going folk there for a while, a nice Jesus-believing, comfort-pursuing, stay-in-the-boat kind of family. We all felt comfortable around them. But then….”
“But..what?”
“Well, they changed. To some of us, Christianity is a theology, or maybe a weekly production, or even a religious duty…but to them, it’s a Person.”
“Is that when they started overboarding?”
“Yeah.”
Gabe- you crack me up!
“Yeah…those Petersons and Landes’…they’re a bunch of freaks!!”
I like it. Yep, I am sure quite a few folks who know us would consider us way “overboard”. But now, I think of what you said about Peter getting out of the boat… and I will take it as a compliment:)!
Keep them coming Jen. You’re writing is inspirational, insightful, and spiritual. I love it! Ever thought of writing a devotional? If you ever do, tell me so I can buy a copy.
PS. I’m friends with your Mom.