https://youtu.be/0ESCED0jKxw

Jesus in our contrary winds. Matthew 14:22-33This is another one of the well know stories about Jesus in the Bible- when he walks on water- The disciples get into the boat- Jesus goes to pray- they find themselves, the Bible says “Tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary” Jesus comes out on the sea, walks on the water to them. The disciples see him, and think it’s a ghost, but Jesus reassures them. Tells them to not be afraid. Peter tests Jesus and says “if its you, let me come out on the water” peter gets out, sees the waves, get scared, starts to sink, calls out to Jesus and Jesus saves him.This thing is sermons for days.But I got caught up on the ‘for the wind was contrary’ what does that mean? Antagonistic, opposite- The wind is not going the direction that is it supposed to go.We can all identify with contrary winds can’t we? Trying to get somewhere or do something and it seems like the wind is not going in our direction? It’s ‘contrary’ just not going our waySo when we find ourselves in these situations- the “contrary winds” of our lives- what does Jesus do?

1. He leads us in our contrary winds.

22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boatIn the beginning of this story- we see that Jesus “made his disciples get into the boat” He knew what he was doing. He knew what the night would bring. He was leading them to a deeper trustOne of the biggest lies that we believe is that God didn’t see it coming.He is sovereign. He is in control. He knows what is happening and how it happens.So when the disciples are told to get in the boat- they don’t realize the lesson they are going to get that night- but Jesus does- because he is leading them.Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart plans his way,But the Lord directs his steps.These disciples didn’t realize the full weight of the night- they just thought they were going ahead but Jesus had a plan- he was leading them. They were going to learn a lot about JesusPs 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.That’s what God does- he gently lead us towards his purposes and plans. We may or may not see what the end result will be- but his lead is always evident when the trial is over.See- contrary winds seem like something that keeps us from doing what WE think we should be doing- I’m sure these guys didn’t like the wind- but Jesus KNEW these winds were coming and led them INTO the winds to teach them something about HIM>This is the character of God throughout time- leading us into places to grow us.Deuteronomy 8:2 READWhat does it mean to youYou should pray Deut 8:2 over your life and believe that wherever God needs to lead you to grow you you will embrace. You will trust that God knows what he is doing. For HIS benefitMaking decisions is hard- especially if you want to honor God- so you want to make decisions based on God’s revealed truths- Does this bring God glory, or me, will this grow the kingdom?Here’s some promises that we know from sciptureJohn 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Isaiah 30:21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.So if we know these truths we can trust that as our decisions line up with what the word of God says- we can trust that it is the Lord leading us and guiding us. (Military-folding, standing, demanding teaching for our benefit)Proverbs 20:24 A man’s steps are of the Lord; How then can a man understand his own way?Cause here’s the truth- its in the most contrary winds of our life that God leads us that we grow the most and learn to trust him even more.