Missed the Boat
[Jesus] made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side … [and] he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. – Matthew 14:22-25 (NRSV)
I recently heard the story of St. Ia for the first time—a young Irish princess who felt called to spread the good news of God’s love across the sea.
But the morning she was to set sail, she found the others had left without her. She stood dejected on the shore, sure she had lost her chance.
Until she saw a leaf floating in the shallows. She reached out her staff to touch it, and it started to grow. Soon it was large enough for her to climb aboard, and she sailed away to the place where God had called her.
I admire that faith. I might’ve packed it in. Figured I’d heard wrong. But, of course, Ia was drawing on Jesus’s own example. Walking across the water to catch up with the disciples. She knew that ours is a God of those who’ve missed the boat.
Life is full of regret. Opportunities that arrive at inopportune moments. Times when the timing just isn’t right. And though we hear God’s call to something new, we can convince ourselves: it’s too late.
But if you are standing on that shore, watching your boat recede on the horizon, sure you have lost your chance, say a prayer to the one who makes water walkable and builds boats from leaves.
Prayer
Waymaker, if it’s you calling, show me how to answer.
About the AuthorVince Amlin is co-pastor of Bethany UCC, Chicago, and co-planter of Gilead Church Chicago, forming now.