"Here Within Your Reach If..."

Many of you may recognize the title of this article. It comes from a song entitled It Don’t Come Easy that Ringo Starr and George Harrison (two of the Beatles) created years ago. The completed lyric is “Peace, remember peace is how we make it, here within your reach if you’re big enough to take it.” In the case of It Don’t Come Easy, Ringo felt peace in the Vietnam War was there, but they had to be big enough to take it.  

This concept of still within your reach if you’re big enough to take it is akin to someone offering us something big and perhaps a bit unbelievable, but we must take it to experience the benefit of it. Notice that the benefit of the promise doesn’t become a reality until someone takes it.

Yes, there are ubiquitous offers in the world. “Accept my offer, and something good will happen to you.” Or, if you buy this product, it will be a whole new source of significance, acceptance, love, and security; you’ll be the next Cinderella or Cinderfella!” Of course, some people offer nothing but excuses. One thing is sure: ”It's better to offer no excuse than a bad one." Thank you, George Washington.

But the fact that there are fake offerings or offerings with an agenda attached to them doesn't mean there aren't true and correct offers. Grocery stores give offers, department stores have sales each year, some people don’t lie, and some things work out for the best given time, even though it seems horrible initially. Alek Wek once said, "True beauty is born through our actions and aspirations and in the kindness we offer to others.”

Once, I was speaking at a large men’s gathering in Miami, Florida, at Guillermo Maldonado's church, El Rey Jesus. (King Jesus Ministry) I was talking about courage amid life’s storms, and the disciples were amid a frightening storm when this event happened. Here's the text.

But immediately, Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to Him, "Lord if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." And He said, "Come!" And Peter exited the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately, Jesus stretched out His hand to take hold of him and said, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, "You are certainly God's Son!"

Do you notice the offer made to the twelve disciples and then directly to Peter? "Take courage…" Interestingly, Jesus gave the same offer to all of them, but only one took it. But, for a short time, Peter experienced the offer's benefits after taking it. Jesus made good on his offer to Peter. "Come!" Then Peter came until the storm on the outside of him got inside of him. Jesus will always make good on his offers, given faith and patience. The Bible notes, "By faith and patience, you inherit God's promises." Hebrews 6:12.

Then, I used a demonstration when I finished my message to the men. I had the organizers of the event bring in about 500+ forks. We put a fork in every other man's hand and said, "Today, this fork symbolizes courage. The men with a fork say to the non-fork man next to you, "This is courage. You need courage! Take courage! Take courage!” The forks were the hit of the conference. And, after the fork, came the pork on the fork. Lunchtime! 

So, God and Jesus have given us people heaps of offers. The question is, "Are we going to take it." Well, that depends on whether we can get past the static interference of what our current culture offers us and the peer pressure around us. 

Do you need peace? Jesus made a promise to us about peace. “Peace, I leave with you. My peace I give you. I give to you not as the world gives. Don’t be troubled or afraid." John 14:27. Do you see that? Real peace is within your reach if you're big enough to take it. Take it. You'll find out you have the peace of God when you've made peace with God. 

Do you need a better quality of life? Jesus made a promise about that. “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of." John 10:10. That doesn't mean everyone will be a millionaire. It means that life will be meaningful or full of meaning. Jesus is saying our quality of life is so much better than we are currently experiencing. Quality of life is here within your reach if you're big enough to take it. Take it!

Are you afraid of the future or where you will spend eternity? 

“In the same way, Christ was offered up once. He took away the sins of many people. He will also come a second time. At that time, he will not suffer for sin. Instead, he will come to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him." Hebrews 9:28. 

The certainty of where you will spend eternity is still within your reach if you are big enough to take it. Wow, salvation, and a heavenly future. Take it!

One final thought. You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.