THE RAFT STORY

Read: MARK 2:21–22

Meditation verse:

“No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; or else the new piece pulls away from the old, and the tear is made worse.” (Mark 2:21)

The story is told of a monk who embarked on a long journey on foot. He came across a river and wondered how he would cross over. He tried walking across, but it was too deep; he couldn’t swim either. Eventually, he built a raft and successfully crossed to the other side of the river. He then said to himself “this must be very useful to me; I have to hold on to it”. He strapped it to his back and continued his journey. A short while later, he came across a very thick forest, with rows of trees. As he attempted to walk through, the raft behind his back kept getting stuck between the trees, making it impossible to go through. After several attempts, he realised that the raft was now the obstacle holding him back, so he took it off.

What served you yesterday might become a stumbling block tomorrow. What is your own raft? What old mindset, habit, relationship, desire, goal, or behavioural pattern are you still holding on to that no longer serves your interest? Sometimes, you may need to do away with the old, to make progress in life. Isaiah 43:18–19 states: “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?” The bible says, new wine cannot be put into old wineskins, else the wineskins will stretch and burst, and the wine will be spilled (Mark 2:22). Is it possible that your old way of doing things is the cause of the stress and stretch you are currently experiencing in your life?

Notice that it was the Monk who held on to the raft, nobody put it on his back. Therefore, when he realised he needed to get rid of it, he had to do so by himself. Similarly, you need to decide the things that are preventing you from moving forward and get rid of them by yourself. It is often said that if you want to know the person holding you back, look in the mirror. Decide today to change that bad habit, get out of the abusive relationship, or change that attitude. No one else can do it for you. And just as the Monk progressed on his journey with ease, after he got rid of the raft, your progress will become evident to all.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Oke Chinye

Have you asked Jesus Christ to come into your heart?

He says in Mathew 11:28, “come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He longs to give you rest.

Would you like to do so now? Here’s a prayer you can say:

Dear Jesus, I believe that You died to save me from all my sins. Today, I invite you into my heart and I accept you as my Lord and Saviour. Please forgive all my sins and help me to live my life for You.

If you prayed this prayer, send me an email at rockteachingministry@gmail.com. I would love to pray with you personally and send you a copy of my book; ‘Living the Life’ to encourage you as you begin your new life in Christ.

I look forward to hearing from you.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Oke Chinye.
Have you asked Jesus Christ to come into your heart?

He says in Mathew 11:28, “come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He longs to give you rest."

Would you like to do so now? Here’s a prayer you can say:
Dear Jesus, I believe that You died to save me from all my sins. Today, I invite you into my heart and I accept you as my Lord and Saviour. Please forgive all my sins and help me to live my life for You.

If you prayed this prayer, send me an email at rockteachingministry@gmail.com

I would love to pray with you personally and send you a copy of my book; ‘Living the Life’ to encourage you as you begin your new life in Christ.