There is a framed print hanging in my living room that shows Jesus, standing in the midst of wind whipped waves under a dark, forbidding sky. He is reaching out and clasping the hand of Peter, up to his waist in tumultous water with eyes fixed on Jesus as he is lifted safely from the waves that would claim him.
You have to love Peter. He says and does all of things we would say and do in his place, without forcing us to make the admission. From the safety of our time, our faith, we are just likely to shake our heads tolerantly as to admit we share his faults. Peter demonstrates for us the faithful love and provision of our Savior as he is forgiven, strengthened and instructed repeatedly without ever losing Jesus' love or his position as Jesus' servant and the shepherd of His sheep.
When Peter first sees Jesus walking toward the wind tossed fishing boat, he and the other disciples are stricken with fear, believing they are seeing a ghost! Immediately, Jesus identifies Himself and tells them not to be afraid but Peter wants more assurance. It was not enough to see Jesus exercising control over the elements to the extent of walking out some 3 1/2 miles (according to John 6:19) to where they struggled against the storm; Peter then says, "If it's You, command me to come to You on the water." Jesus answered him with one word, "Come!".
Peter's faith gave Him the courage to step out of the boat and onto the water, moving toward Jesus. But towering waves and cutting wind whipped up Peter's fear anew, and he faltered and began to sink, crying out to Jesus for help.
We know that Jesus reaches out to take Peter's hand and return with him to the the boat, whereupon the wind stops and the waves are calmed, the storm abated. Jesus asks Peter, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"
Every time I read the this account in Matthew 14, I wonder: if Jesus thought Peter had little faith, what must He think of me? You see, Peter stepped out of the boat. When I am faced with the raging storms and circumstances of life, I'm clinging to that boat for all I'm worth! Step out of the boat? Not willingly, not me! And if I should somehow lose my grip and be thrown into the water... be certain that I WILL call out for Jesus and for rescue, all the while kicking, screaming, flailing and clinging to whatever bit of floating debri I can lay hands on! To save me from the tempest, Jesus would literally have to grab me by the scruff of the neck!
So what does that say about my faith? I used to think that I would keep my eyes on Jesus regardless of the threat; that I would rest in the knowledge that He is enough and can be trusted to pluck me from whatever danger I face. I ignored the evidence that in this life, good people suffer loss, and know pain and lose loved ones, living in some fairy tale of iminent rescue from any danger or suffering. You see it's one thing to talk about faith from the safety of my living room while the storm rages outside. It's quite another thing when the circumstances of life, completely beyond my control, begin to roll over me like a Mac truck. What then?
Slowly, I'm gathering my faith, and my wits, about me. We've been living with our particular circumstance, as are many, for the better part of three years, and I've run the gamit of trust and doubt. I've trusted in my efforts and in God's provision, I've trusted God for a future that may be far different my past. I've cried and I've pleaded and pulled myself together with determination and belief only to fall apart again with each new twist and turn that comes my way. There seems to be no end in sight, no sun breaking over the horizon, no end to wind and waves, but my God has proven faithful!
Most elementary Sunday School children can tell you why Peter sank. Because he let his fear of the wind and the waves overcome his faith in Jesus to preserve him. Simply put, Peter was distracted. And so have I been. I have allowed the struggles of life to pull my eyes form the face of my Lord to dart wildly around me, magnifying fearful circumstances and events. I've let the waves push me in one direction and then in another, allowed the howling wind to drown out the sweet voice of assurance. Fortunately, Jesus wasn't through with Peter that day on the Sea of Galilee, and He's not through with me either! I just need to focus! To narrow my gaze to the loving eyes of Him who loves me, and walk the path He's laid out for me without doubt, and without fear.
Proverbs 4:20-27 speaks about the straight path.
"My son, pay attention to my words;
listen close to my sayings.
Don't lose sight of them;
keep them in your heart.
For they are life to those who find them,
and health to one's whole body.
Guard your heart above all else,
for it is the source of life.
Don't let your mouth speak dishonestly
and don't let your lips speak deviously.
Let your eyes look forward;
fix your eyes straight ahead.
Carefully consider the path for your feet,
and all your ways will be established.
Don't turn to the right or the left;
keep your feet away from evil.
The straight path is a path without distraction. It involves a heart and mind fixed on God's wisdom and commands. It requires a life lived on the basis of God's Word and His teaching, with eyes fixed forward, walking on the path provided.
In the Parable of the Sower, we are warned about the weeds of worry, the seduction of wealth and other desires that can choke out the seed that is the Word so that it becomes unfruitful (Mark 4:18-19). Again the distractions of the world, of wealth, a desire for acceptance or approval, fear of trials and difficulties, and the weariness of struggles can steal away God's Word to leave us bereft, distracted, and tossed on the waves of circumstance. Colossians 3:2 reminds us to "set our minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth."
I need to remember that this is not my home. Jesus has gone ahead to prepare a place for me, and THAT is my security! Not homes, or businesses, clothing or jewelry, cars or wealth of any kind; but Jesus!
It seems that God never allows me roam far from His flock before showing up on the hill I've just run down with His shepherd's crook and loving expression to remind who I am, whose I am and where I belong! "His Word is like a balm to my soul!"
Thank you, Father, I love you too!
