It was dark that night on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus told his disciples to take the boat out. Then, Jesus came to them walking on the water. At first, they were frightened. But Jesus spoke to them and calmed their fears.
As soon as Peter saw that it was Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water” (Matthew 14:28). So Jesus called Peter to come to him. Peter’s faith must have been soaring. He climbed out of the boat and started walking on the water toward Jesus.
Can you imagine what must have been going through his mind? “I’m walking on water! This is incredible! I can’t wait to tell my friends about this. Who will believe me?” The joy and excitement of experiencing this miracle must have been overwhelming.
Then, something happened. His focused shifted. As he walked towards Jesus, something else caught his attention. The wind and waves churned around him. A storm was brewing. Peter started to worry. “Oh no. This is getting a little unstable. I don’t think I can do this anymore.” His water-walking faith quickly succumbed to water-walking fear.
“But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!'” (Matthew 14:30).
When those fearful thoughts came crashing in, Peter did something very important: he cried out to Jesus for help. Jesus reached down and pulled him up, and they walked back to the boat.
The next time you step out of your comfort zone, remember two things: don’t take your eyes off Jesus. If you do, you will only see the wind and waves of unstable circumstances, and your faith will falter.
Secondly, if you do start to sink, simply cry out, “Lord Jesus, save me!” He will reach down from heaven, pick you up and walk with you back to the safety of your boat. He will not let you drown.
Prayer: Father, help me to keep my eyes always on you, unshaken by the storms surrounding me. Thank you that when I do take my eyes off you and feel myself sinking, all I have to do is call on you and you will save me from my fears.
