You probably know the story of Peter walking on the water to Jesus but I want you to imagine the scene as you read this from Matthew 14: 22-32:
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” They said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “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 hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying. “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Now think about the storms of life and how this can compare. Can you relate to the disciples getting in the boat and doing as Jesus tells you? Can you see yourself as Peter obeying the command of Jesus and bravely walking out on that water?
When we feel like our life is a storm Jesus is there with us. When we think we are falling we can call out and the Master’s Hand will reach out to us just like He did for Peter. It took courage for Peter to step out of that boat and onto the stormy sea. The water wasn’t calm. I am sure he was excited and maybe anxious…they had been fighting this storm all night. The fear, fatigue and excitement were all affecting him at this time. He probably didn’t even think twice when he heard Jesus say come. For he knew his voice and he was right! It was Jesus!
Think about the last time God spoke to you to do something. Maybe it was to start a new ministry, maybe a job venture, maybe to help someone in need, or maybe it was to witness to someone. How did you feel? There might have been a little wrestling at first. (Is that you God? I don’t know if I can do this.) But that moment when you KNEW it was God… How did you feel? Where you excited, anxious to get started, or maybe a little nervous?
When we climb out of the boat to do what we feel like God is calling us to do we get excited! We may experience some anxiety as well but the adrenaline gets us going. Then, when we get about half way to what we think is our destination, we notice the water swirling around us. We aren’t standing on solid ground anymore. We’ve gone too far to go back and our victory looks a long way off! Then fear and doubt set in. We wonder, “Did God really tell me to walk out in this?” Often times we say, “This isn’t how it was supposed to be!” And we think maybe we missed God… Maybe that was just our own ideas… Maybe we should just quit.
But wait!…
if
God told you to do it He will bring you through it!
Notice in verse 32…And when they came to the into the ship, the wind ceased. So, that means as Jesus and Peter were walking on the water…it was still stormy. Peter left the comfortable boat (or not so comfortable…doesn’t it seem like God gets us uncomfortable where we are right before He tells us to step out into what He has for us?) So Peter steps out onto the water IN A STORM. We can usually get out of the boat okay, it’s when we get right in the middle of what we “think” God told us to do that we start questioning, doubting, and getting fearful. It may seem like we are far away from Jesus when really we are closer than we think. We just have to call out to him and focus on Him instead of the problems and instability swirling around us.
Go back to your imaginary scene for a second. How far do you think Peter got to Jesus before he started to sink? Was he just getting started, half way there, or was he within arm’s reach? Now we know this was a supernatural feat but just humor me. Where was he? If he had been within arm’s reach would he have doubted so much? I picture him about half way there. His courage took him far enough from the boat that he was “on his own”. But when he cried out, “Lord, save me”…Jesus was instantly there and immediately reached out and caught his hand. Jesus met Peter right where he was. Could he have walked all the way to Jesus? Sure, if his faith had been strong enough. Can we make it all the way without calling out to Jesus? Why would we want to? Relying on Jesus strengthens our faith!
It takes more courage to ask for help than it does to do it on our own. Jesus is here for us and will meet us right where we are. What ever our faith level is…that is where he will meet us. We just have to believe in Him and know He is walking with us.
Now let’s go back to the storm in our lives… Each one of us has been through storms. Maybe some of you are going through something right now. If not, you might go through some rough patches in the future. So what are some tools that can help us in the storm?
Now that we have all of our tools to face the next storm…we have to remember that Jesus doesn’t always calm the storm immediately but he is with us immediately and will walk with us through the storm.
Also remember that many times storms cause change. Think about your storms. Was their change in the midst or after the storm? Change: a move, illness, death, job, finances. Change is not always bad. It may be rough getting to the change but it will strengthen us and improve our lives. Change brings about differences in our routine. We know we can’t keep doing the same thing and get different results. And if we are not willing to make the change we need to, God has a way of persuading us.
We have all faced our share of storms in our lives and it’s sure we will all face more. But if we use the tools God has given us we will make it through and be stronger. When we feel like we are falling all we have to do is call on the Lord and he will reach down to rescue us. We may feel the effects of the storm for a time but God will not allow you to go through more than you can handle.
Are you going through a storm right now? Can I pray for you? Leave a comment or send me an email.
