Keep Your Eyes on Jesus

One of my favorite scenes in scripture is when Jesus walks on water but more so than this miracle, how He calls Peter out of the boat onto the stormy seas.

Storms happen – fact of life. How do you react?

I reflect on this honestly and see that I am so much like Peter. The storm is raging and I brazenly declare that I have the faith to step out of the boat. “Do you have the faith to walk on the water?” “Absolutely, You can do anything.” Like that day after my daughter’s diagnosis, I cried out of my strong faith, immediately questioning Jesus’ motives.

Then, as soon as the wind whips my hair and I feel the water against my face, my eyes come off Jesus, that solid faith vanishes like the wind and gurgle, I’m under water.

Jesus immediately rescued me, pulling me from the depths of the storm. ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ He draws me close and then rebukes the storm.

Jesus allows trials that we may be tested and strengthened. He doesn’t test us to give a grade or fail us out of Heaven, but, to allow us to see how much we must trust Him.

When Peter’s trust was focused upon Jesus, the water held him. As soon as that trust waivers, we look around and sink in fear.

Keep your eyes, and trust singularly focused upon Jesus at all times, in all storms. If you look away and sink, call out – “Lord, save me, I’m sinking.” Know that Jesus will pull you up into His arms. Then, re-lock your eyes on His.

“When evening came, he was there alone, 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?’  When they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’” Matthew 14:23-43