Amos 4-6; Psalm 55; Matthew 14

By Becky Hill Martin

AUDIO LINK: https://on.soundcloud.com/FHTZe

MATT 14:30-31 But when he (Peter) saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

FAITH TO WALK ON WATER

Ever been white water rafting? Our recent adventure in CO on the Cache LaPoudre River began with getting “outfitted” with a helmet, paddle and life vest that had me looking like a trussed-up holiday turkey. We set out on the river, learning how to paddle with the guide yelling, “Row forward. Row backward. Why are you rowing forward when I said backward?!” We finally advanced to Class 1 rapids, which were more like ripples. By the time we got to Class 2 rapids where the current was swift, I thought, “yeah, I got this.” But, when we got to the Class 3 & 4 rapids with rocks, boulders, narrow passages, strong currents and waterfalls, I realized “I don’t got this.” All I could do was wedge my feet deep into the raft, listen to our guide and paddle like crazy. It was exhilarating and exhausting at the same time.

Life is a lot like white water rafting. There are periods of calm = “floating” and some swift currents, but nothing we think we can’t handle. Inevitably, we end up in trouble = Class 3-4 rapids, paddling as fast as we can and praying to Jesus to help us through.

If Jesus answered our prayers by walking on water toward us, would we be terrified of Him, cowering in the boat like the disciples were? Or would we be Peter and get out of the boat in faith, and walk on water to meet Him? Sure, Peter took his eyes off Jesus and started to sink, but Jesus rescued him. The point is, he took that step.

There will always be boulders, swift currents and even a few waterfalls in our lives. We, as Christians have security in knowing that Christ is aways with us. When it’s no longer exhilarating and you’ve paddled all you can paddle, I pray you choose to lock eyes with Jesus, get out of your boat and “walk on water” with Him.