Other boats

Daily Byte

The BDC this week is written by Dewey Williams

In this famous text that introduces the great account of Jesus calming the storming waters, an interesting fact is revealed. The scripture just doesn’t say that they put Jesus on a boat and set off for the other side. The scripture adds that there were other boats that went with Him to the other side. What a curious add on to the story. Other boats went with Him. Not other boats were docked at the lakeshore. Not other boats were in the water. Not other boats engaged in fishing industry. Not other boats engaged in recreational activities. No, there were other boats that went with Him. Some might think that this is wasted ink on the biblical page and has no significance. I am not of that opinion. God did not make a mistake when this detail was added.

Let me propose that the mention of the other boats was to inform us that we do not travel this way by ourselves. We are present with those that journey with us. We are attached to others as we make our journey.
In a figurative way, your life and existence is symbolized by the reference to a boat.

As an individual you dock in some places, you sail in certain places, and sometimes you are adrift in the waters of life. I know that your boat is special. But you are not traveling by yourself, and if you do not pay attention to the other boats you can wreck them and wreck yourself. You do not journey alone. I know your boat is pretty, curvaceous, strong, built for speed, and has nice amenities; but yours in not the only boat in the water. You better pay attention to those other boats or your pretty, curvaceous, strong, built-for-speed boat, with nice amenities can be sunk.
Have you ever met someone who thought they were the only boat in the ocean? Have you ever met someone who was so stuck on them self that they did not see others around them? Have you ever met someone that is always talking about them self? You know the type; they are always talking about, “What I have done.” What I want.” Where I have gone.” They never take time to even ask about you or others. They are self-centered egomaniacs that see only their boat.

This only boat that matters mentality permeates the religious world. Christians and Jews and Muslims all have for far too long acted like their boats were the only boats that mattered. All three of these dominant world religions have had fundamentalist that have pitted themselves against all others that did not bow down and worship the way that they prescribe. Each one of these religions has acted like they are the only boat in the water.

I could point out countless areas of being aware of the other boats, but I am drawn to speak about out being aware of those that are less fortunate than we are. There are other boats of the hungry, the homeless, those with less education, those with mental and physical health maladies, and those so poor that don’t even know where the poverty line is. Often in our middle class to upper class worlds we can become insulated from the hurting souls that struggle day by day to make it in this world. We can become smug and even arrogant regarding the poor. God sent me by to tell you that those in the boats of poverty are journeying with us and we must pay attention to the other boats. You better watch out. In this economic era, your boat could turn into a boat of poverty.

Focus Reading

Mark 4:35-36

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him.

Staying Online - Prayer

God, we ask that you give us an awareness of the others that sail in the water with us. Help us see others that may not look like us, but who are souls that you have created. We thank you for Jesus Christ who saw our otherness and took us in. Make us like Jesus. Amen