Walking On Water
“And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.””
—Matthew 14:25-33
Jesus walks on water easy like an afternoon stroll. This was something no one had ever seen him do before, we know this because his disciples thought he was a ghost. Peter asks Jesus to call him out to prove himself. We often ask God to call us out into the unfamiliar, where we don’t know what to expect. Peter learned the age old lesson, “Be careful what you pray for.”
if we are honest, that is often where we find ourselves, in the middle of something we asked for, yet feeling like we are sinking. A “strong wind” blows and we lose all confidence in our dreams.
But Jesus is never too far away. He will helps us on our journey. Just as the word “Come,” compels Peter to step out on faith, the words, “Lord, save me!” cause Jesus to take over the situation. Even though Jesus seems disappointed in Peter’s doubt, he saves him none the less. And although we soon face doubt in ourselves and our abilities when God does something miraculous for us, he is always close enough to pull our faith back up - calm the chaos - then call us back out into even deeper and more unpredictable waters.
Oh LORD, I thank you for all the deep waters that you have called me to. Though they were unpredictable they have taught me many lessons. Give me the courage to follow through and finish the tasked that you’ve called me to in you. Give me faith enough to know that you would never call me to something you wouldn’t already have a plan to bring me through. In Jesus Name, Amen!