Matthew 14
vs 26: When the disciples saw [Jesus] walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.
vs 27: BUT Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
vs 28: "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "Tell me to come to you on the water."
vs 29: "Come," He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came towards Jesus.
vs 30: But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
vs 31: Immediatly Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, "You of little faith, " He said, "why did you doubt?"
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So the disciples are there.. in a boat... in the middle of a storm.. scared out of their pants because they see what they imagine could be a ghost coming towards them.
Jesus knows how they are feeling from the get-go and goes on to comfort them.
Peter is the willing one. Peter is the one who is putting his faith into action. Peter is the one who Jesus says has 'little faith' and yet he is the only one who takes the step out of the boat.
How crazy is that, really? That he is willing to step out of the boat and in the middle of the storm, venture to walk on the water towards Jesus. And yet that is what God calls us to do. To listen to His voice, His leading, to follow Him wherever.
Peter initially desires to know for real if it is Jesus or not, but he believes that it is and trusts enough to take the first step.
Not until a few moments in the waves does he probably begin to doubt "Crap! What am I doing?" and it is at this point that he takes his eyes off Jesus. Then what happens?
He starts to sink. But immediately Jesus reaches to save him. IMMEDIATELY! How awesome is that.
Even though, Peter doubted, took his eyes off Jesus, and began to sink.. Jesus was there, with him in the middle of it all, ready and willing to save him.
Sometimes Jesus asks us to do crazy things. But He promises to be with us always and to sustain us and carry us through. S
ometimes, all we can do is take the first step... out onto the water.
Crazy and scary things. I try to do things on my own and He smacks me back in place. I believe He will take care of things; I believe He doesn't need my help. However, the stubborn part of me (which is a very large part)does not do what He is clearly guiding me to do. This learning process is so very painful, but will be well worth the journey. Many blessings, Tonia
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