The waves were crashing over the bow of the boat as it dived into the trough of each oncoming swell. The spray, propelled by the 30
knot winds, showered captain and crew at the stern of the 36′ Catamaran. The force of the wind was exhilarating, the speed of the boat energizing and the pounding of the waves intimidating. This was the first real wind we had experienced on our sailing and snorkeling adventure – and a very real wind it was.
What a rush.
As we were careening through the waves the captain asked me to hustle along the starboard side of the boat, the leeward side, and use the hand crank winch to tighten up the Genoa. So there I was on the low side of the boat, directly underneath the boom and mainsail, hanging on for dear life cranking in the Genoa to get a little more speed out of the boat.
And then it happened…
As I am cranking on the winch there is a sudden and very violent cracking sound – which I immediately perceived to be the boom breaking. I fully expected to be smashed in the head and knocked overboard so I instinctively drop down and brace myself for a hit. No hit. I look up and see the source of the violent crack. The mainsail had ripped in two from side to side. This was no small, incremental tearing. No, this was a violent, sudden tearing in two. It only added to the exhilaration of the moment.
As I got back into the cockpit of the boat, and let my racing heart begin to slow its pace I reflected on the moment: I remembered in scripture when it talked about the veil in the temple which separated the Holy of Holies – which barred sinful man from intimate communion with Holy God – was supernaturally ripped in two at Jesus’ crucifixion. Jesus death had removed the barrier of sin and ushered in a new era of relationship with our Heavenly Father. The violence with which our sail had torn was probably only a dim reflection of the violence with which God tore the curtain dividing Him from His children.
Jesus declared, “It is finished.” He has paid the price and made a way for mankind to be in rich relationship with our Father. We can wholeheartedly partner with God in His epic adventure of the Kingdom. The exhilaration I experienced on the sail boat being driven by moderate gale force winds through the tempestuous Belizean seas is only a mere breath of the adventure God has prepared for His children. He invites us to join Him.
The veil that kept you from connecting with God and knowing the transformational love of your Heavenly Father has been removed by the work of Jesus. You do not need to sit on the sidelines. You do not need to feel disqualified. You do not need to believe that somehow you cannot enter into a rich relationship with God. You can fully experience the life and love that God has prepared for you, and prepared you for. Jesus has made a way.
Jesus’ death and resurrection has made a way for you to step free from the sin that entangles you and the strategy of the enemy that opposes you. We can have confidence to walk in relationship with God. Let’s choose to draw near to Him with full assurance that the blood of Christ has set us free and made a way for us to join God in the epic adventure called life with Him.
As we head into 2013 let’s resolve to boldly and confidently walk in relationship with God. What has separated us has been ripped in two – Jesus has made the way for us to wholeheartedly partner with God in the epic adventure of the Kingdom of God in us and through us.
Let’s do it.
Matthew 27:51
“At that moment, the Temple curtain was ripped in two, top to bottom. There was an earthquake, and rocks were split in pieces.” (The Message)
Hebrews 10:19-24
“So, friends, we can now-without hesitation-walk right up to God, into “the Holy Place.” Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The “curtain” into God’s presence is his body. So let’s do it-full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.” (The Message)