“When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking towards them on the lake. But when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’ Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’” Matthew 14:23-31
This story from Matthew’s Gospel is by far one of my favorites. It is a story of encounter, faith and trust. It is a story that encapsulates so much of my life, and faith journey. Peter along with the others had seen so much of what Jesus had done. They’ve seen miracles that would boggle a human mind and gone as far as proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah. But, in this moment so much of what’s occurred is put to test upon the faith of the moment and trust in what is to come. Faith enveloped by a moment of fear.
This morning sitting here watching the sky slowly brighten over the Florida horizon, I read this story again. And, God speaks to me, telling me this is a story of trust, total trust.
Change the scene slightly upon myself and my experience. Peter said to Jesus to command him and he could walk upon the water. We see Peter get out and walk with confidence, until he sees the storm. Then, he sinks. This morning God gives me the vision to see myself sitting in that boat. Surrounding be great men and women of faith, I look over the sides of the boat in fear of the storm. Unable to even think of stepping out let along walking into it – looking at the surrounding storm. But, through the rain and thunder, Jesus gently calls. “Don’t look at the storm or the water. Stop! Look at Me! Ed, look at Me. Keep your eyes upon My eyes. Stop listening to the thunder, listen only to My voice. You know My voice, you are Mine.” He invites me to step out. Jesus takes my hand, giving me balance as I timidly step out onto the deep water.
Getting out of the boat isn’t about our strength or our knowledge and how much we know of Scripture. It is about faith. Simple faith. Getting out of the boat into the storm is all about trust. The storm is terrifying, walking on water is impossible. Stepping out of the safety of the boat, into the storm is inconceivable.
Like Peter, I heard what Jesus had said, yet as the storm raged, I too sank. Jesus rebuked me as well but then, He started teaching me trust to prepare for the next storm. And, when that storm came, courageously…no, no courage involved. In trust, I stepped out and walked, my eyes and ears focused on Jesus.
Are you afraid to step out of the boat, into the storm? Jesus says the same to each of us, “keep your eyes on Me. Don’t look around, eyes on My eyes”, “listen to My voice, not the booming of the storm”, “trust that I AM, trust that I AM greater than that storm.” Lift your eyes to Jesus, focus on His eyes. Focus your ears on His Voice. The storm doesn’t matter, He controls the storm. Trust in faith and have faith in Him.
Amen!