The Other Side

A professing Christian who sat under my ministry said to me “Pastor Roll my life is so boring. I am stuck in the same old rut. My life is not going anywhere. What is wrong with me and my faith?”

My response was that this person’s perception of faith was incorrect.

Biblical faith is not boring. How can faith fueled by Christ’s resurrection power be boring?

Biblical faith is dynamic and progressive. Never static or stagnant. Christians are to live their lives in forward motion, always moving toward the fulfillment of God’s will.

In our verse for this week, Jesus ordered His followers to head for the other side of the lake.

And immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat, and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the multitude away.”  Matthew 14:22

The Lord watched the disciples board the boat and leave the dock. Then He sent the multitudes away and went up to a mountain to pray.

Why did the Lord send His guys ahead of Him to the other side? Why didn’t He have them stay at His side? What was so important about “the other side” anyway?

The other side was the next destination in their journey of faith and ministry.

Life and ministry on this side had been completed for now. It was time to move forward to “the other side.”

As the boat sailed toward the other side, and Jesus prayed, a storm rose to test the disciple’s faith. Smack dab in the middle of the “contrary winds”, the Lord headed toward the other side. The rest of the story is about faith in the storm as we travel forward in life. (Study Matthew 14: 22-27).

As I study the Bible, I believe “the other side” represents the next step in our faith walk. Faith always moves ahead to “the other side.”

Sadly, my “bored” Christian brother had no concept of “the other side.” He stayed miserably and unproductively stuck on this side.

It is reassuring to know that while we head to the other side, Jesus intercedes for us (Romans 8:34). He prays for us while we step out in faith and obedience.

God’s ultimate destination for His people is the other side of life. Heaven is the final port of call for believers in Christ. But until we triumphantly sail into glory, we are to be heading for the other side everyday.

Think about it: Today is the other side of yesterday. Tomorrow will be the other side of today. Today is the day God has made for us to move forward with confident faith toward the other side. We should be moving constantly from this side to the other side.

Reaching the other side will not be obstacle free. Obstacles will obscure our view of the other side. Faith will be tested. Trials will tempt us to turn back to the safe shore we just left.

On our journey through life with Jesus, the sun will not always shine. Skies will darken. Booming thunderclaps and lightning streaks will illuminate the nightscape. Contrary winds will blow. Waves will crash and threaten to sink our ships. Fear will invade our souls, intrude upon and invade our peace.
    
Despite all obstacles and opposition, you and I must keep walking by faith to the other side. We must keep the other shore in sight. Not the shore we came from but the one we are moving towards.

Our future is always on the other side of now.

Every Christian faces challenges that confront them with a choice: to stall and stay where they are, reverse their course or move forward full speed ahead to the other side.

Observations About Sailing To The Other Side.

• Unfortunately, most people sit on this side of the beach rather than set sail for the other side.
• The other side is the right side of forward moving faith.
• The other side will not be reached by sitting on this side.
• Fear and faith cannot dwell in the same boat. Fear keeps us anchored on this side. Faith sets sail for the other side.
• Faith must be tough when life’s seas turn rough. Tough faith plows through the rough seas.
• Boring is left behind when we head for the other side. God’s next opportunity and blessing is not boring!
• When the other side is out of view, forward faith that trusts in God is His choice for you.

Our finest hours occur when tested by difficulty, we move forward in faith to reach the other side where Jesus has gone ahead and is waiting for us.

My Christian friend whose life is boring needs to start heading for the other side by faith and meet Jesus there.

Do you have the other side in view? Are you heading for it by faith? Jesus is waiting for you there!

“But one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”                                         Philippians 3:13-14

“In the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”                        II Timothy 4:8

A Word For Your Week: Keep walking by faith to the other side.