In the midst of the waves

Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter answered him, “command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:27-31

While Jesus was alone praying, His disciples were experiencing the rough sea. Suddenly, He appeared and He was walking on the water. The disciples were stricken with fear as was the case in previous encounters with Jesus. From the text, hearing the assurance that it was Jesus, Peter requested to come to join Him. But as Peter looks around, fear of his circumstances overtakes his faith, and he begins to sink. Jesus pulls him from the raging sea, and asks, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (v. 31). Their fear was unfounded. Though Jesus was not physically present with them in the boat He was with them. Each day, Jesus invites us to join Him on the waters of faith. But too often we allow our doubts, fears, and anxieties to turn our eyes away from Him and onto ourselves. What will I do? What will they think of me? I feel so… I don’t know what to do… As these anxious thoughts continue to grow, we have a choice: to desperately search for answers in our environment, with our friends and family, and in ourselves; or to do as Jesus taught the disciples; to seek God and His kingdom first (Matthew 6:33). Instead of thoughts that distract us from the One Who actually has the answers, let us fill our mind with faith-building questions; what does God want me to do today? What does He want from me? What decisions does He want me to make? The influences of “what ifs” and worst case scenarios will subside when we know that God’s presence is with us. His sovereignty, guidance, and love are what will keep us anticipating that He is there with us. While several refuse to obey Jesus, there are those who are willing to give him the glory that is his as Lord of the universe, Master of the storms and waves for He is Jesus, the Son of God.

Blessings,

Noel De Guzman

www.my-wbc.com