What? Walk on water? Why? What would propel us to get out of the comfortable spot and safety of the boat to follow someone’s invitation to do something risky?
It seems like we hear of very few stories of great miracles in North America in comparison with the things that happen in other areas of the world. But we must ask ourselves: when was the last time that we put ourselves in a situation where we had to rely on more than our own efforts? How can we expect to see the miraculous happen when we are “self-sufficient” (according to our standards)?
Recently I have been challenged with the story of Peter walking on water. It is a familiar story to many found in Matthew 14. In this passage, the disciples find themselves crammed into a boat that is being rocked by the waves. From a distance they saw a figure walking on the water. Once identified as Jesus, Peter called out and asked if he could join him. “Come!” was the response. Peter left his safety to step out into the unknown. He was doing just fine…. until his focus turned to the waves and the wind around him. At that moment, fear gripped him…. And he began to sink. As soon as his eyes focused on his circumstances, his confidence wavered and he lost faith. In the same way when we look at what seems impossible around us we lose our focus on where we are going and fear paralyses us.
The challenge to me is… When was the last time I had enough courage to get out of my comfortable boat to courageously follow? And when I do, is my vision on the waves and storms of the situation around me, or on the One who tells me to "come"?
A dear friend recently reminded me of this powerful saying: "Let Go… Let God!" Let’s let go of the safety of the boat, and courageously walk on water ignoring the waves around us as we keep our focus on the One who holds our life in his hands.
