Walking on Water

Last night as we were taking a boat ride, the water was calm and the breeze was pleasant. Very relaxing after a very stressful few days. But within a matter of seconds the skies grew dark, the water became very choppy and we started seeing lightening streaks all across the sky. It was pretty scary as we raced for home and safety to beat out the impending storm.

I've been thinking a lot about storms lately, as we walk through this one in our lives. I've always been a tad scared of storms. The loud, booming thunder, freaky lightening strikes, tree-bending wind. Not my idea of a fun time. I am so much more about sunshine and bright blue skies. But storms are a normal occurrence in our weather patterns and in our daily lives.

Once the disciples were out on their boat rowing across the Sea of Galilee. They had just witnessed a miracle as Jesus took 5 loaves and 2 fish and fed 5,000 and actually had baskets of food left over. As the disciples set out across the lake, Jesus stayed behind to pray. Sometime during the night a storm came up on the water. The wind was fiercely blowing and the rowing got much more difficult. Many of the disciples were fishermen who understood the water and the weather. This part of the Galilean Sea was accustomed to strong storms suddenly appearing. Around 3am, Jesus began to walk across the water to the disciples on their boat as they rowed. The disciples thinking they were surely seeing a ghost of some type began to understandably panic(how often do our most all-consuming fears happen in the dead of night in those early morning hours??).

Jesus called out to them and said to not be afraid. At this point with his eyes on Jesus, Peter calls out and says, "Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water." In that moment Peter doesn't even seem to be aware there is a storm. His eyes are only focused on the Lord Jesus. Jesus tells Peter to come to him and Peter gets out of the boat and walks on the water. Now the storm is raging. The water is churning, rough, white-capped. The wind fiercely blowing. And yet Peter walks on THAT water. Then Peter does what most of us do in the midst of a storm, he takes his eyes of Jesus and focuses in on the storm, the circumstances, the predicament and he begins to sink. Probably pretty rapidly!! (at least I sink fast when looking at my circumstances!).

But at this point Peter does what we all should do, when we are sinking, he cries out "Lord, save me!!!". And the Bible says IMMEDIATELY Jesus reached out his hand and caught him!!! Jesus then says, "You of little faith, Why did you doubt?" Jesus was right there the whole time and if only Peter had kept his focus on Him instead of the storm.

I've been thinking about this story a lot these last few days as we are in the midst of a fierce storm, not knowing when it will end or how we will make it. It is absolutely only as I keep my eyes focused on Jesus, on HIS promises, HIS character, HIS love that I can and am walking on water. I can't for one moment take my eyes off of HIM or surely I will rapidly sink.

So as I write this I really wish and pray we weren't having to go through this right now. I wish I didn't have to experience the storm. I'd love nothing better than blue skies, rainbows and sunshine.... But getting to walk on water with my Lord is incredible and amazing!!!!