Every day we have a choice, a decision to make. What are we going to look to? Our circumstances, the waves? Or Jesus who is in the midst of it all with us?
Matthew 14:28-31 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hands and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
I must admit personally when I would read this I’d have an arrogant attitude. “Come on Peter, why did you look away from Jesus? Why did you get afraid and stop walking? He was RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF YOU. You have witnessed Him do SO many amazing things and yet you doubted? It’s so simple you just need to look to God.”
Thankfully God has humbled me and opened my eyes to my own doubt and sin.
How many times have I experienced God and seen Him move in my own life? Yet how often do I struggle to remain above the stresses of life? (A lot)
When the water is calm, like a pool. It would be so easy to walk on the water with Jesus. “This is awesome! So much fun.” ….. Yet we would get bored after a while… Just as I do sometimes with seeking God when things are easy or good.
When the waters get rough we’re definitely not bored, but boy do I get doubtful. “I don’t know if this is a good idea…. This whole walking on water things isn’t going to work in these waters…. I can’t do this!”
While it is SO obvious and easy to see what we are to do (Look to Jesus at all times), it’s not the easiest thing to do. God knows we’re not perfect. He knows we’re not going to accomplish this 100%. He knows we will have moments of little faith.
I had read Jesus' words at the end almost in disgust before. Disappointment of us. Yet when you stop and think about it did He leave Peter behind when they got to shore? Was he not allowed to follow Him anymore? Was he not allowed to do great things for the Kingdom of God? No, he was still God’s chosen. He was still beloved by God.
Now I read it with a sense of compassion and concern. “Tell me, why did you doubt? What is holding you back? Let’s work through this together.”
He reaches out His hand and receives us, pulls us out. Just like He did Peter. He comes alongside us when things are rough and helps us work through the things that are pulling us away from him.
WHEN we allow ourselves to be swept up in the troubles of this world we are to do as Peter did. Call out! “Lord, save me!” We are to re-focus. To look back to God.
It’s never too late to focus on God.
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