It’s that feeling when you are surrounded by adversity or problems (involving people, places, things) that are out of your control and causing you to lose grip on life. You hear yourself saying “Someone please throw me a lifeline….like seriously, I need help.” I guess that’s how Peter felt when he saw Jesus walking on the water towards the boat he and the disciples were in. As his impulsive nature would dictate, Peter asked Jesus if he could come out on the water as well. Without thinking about what that really meant, he stepped out. The other disciples must have pondered his level of absurdity. (At least he took the risk to get out of the boat in the first place). So he begins to walk toward Jesus. I believe in that moment what kept him on the water was his confidence and trust in Jesus’ invitation to “Come” that somehow “if Jesus could invite me out on the water, He would have the power to keep me up on the water.” Peter’s faith activated and he’s experiencing the impossile! However, Peter was quickly distracted: he took his eyes away from Jesus and began to look at the strength of the boisterous winds and waves surrounding him (i.e. problems and adversity). Fear immediately replaced faith – he began to sink into the water and desperately cried out “Lord, save me!”
Take time to reflect on Peter’s experience (Matthew 14:28-32). Be encouraged, Jesus invites you to “Come” (Matthew 11:28-29) before you reach those “drowning” moments in life, make it a habit of following Peter’s response to:
Look Up: (Psalms 121:1-2)
Speak Up: (Psalms 18:6)
Reach Up: (Psalms 73:23)
Get Up: (Galatians 5:1)
Stay Up: (Ephesians 6:13)
Living
RESTORED!
P. Lorraine