Walking on the Waves 5

There is another great lesson from Peter walking on the water with Jesus, and it is summed up in a book title, "If You Want To Walk On The Water, You've Got To Get Out Of The Boat. Jesus called Peter's faith "little faith," but he was the only disciple to climb out of the boat and try to balance on the whitecapping waves.

Theodore Roosevelt summed up this emphasis when he said, "It's not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena......who, at best, knows in the end the triumph of great achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place will never be with those cold timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

Many times Jesus will ask us to get out of our comfort zones, out of our boats of self-reliance, and attempt to do things we cannot possibly do by ourselves. If we dare to follow Him, He comes alongside us and gives us whatever power, strength, and wisdom we need for the tasks to which He has called us. We may not always be successful, but if we fail, He is right beside us and will reach down and pick us up just as He rescued Peter from the stormy sea. As we answer His call, we will discover that Jesus is absolutely trustworthy, and the greatest excitement in life is doing what we can't.

Father, may we never be afraid to follow wherever You lead. Thank You for Your power and strength and wisdom in our lives. May we never say, I can't," because You can. Amen.

Life's Little Frustrations

When you're in a waiting room, the t.v.'s always on.

You might want to talk or read a book or simply be alone,

But whether you want to watch it or not it will endlessly continue to drone,

Whenever the room is full of folks and when everyone is gone.

Walking on the Waves 4

Matthew 14:29b-31, "Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me.' Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?'"

Of course the greatest lesson from Peter's walking on the water is the importance of focus. As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he as fine. It was when he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the wind and the waves, at his circumstances, that he began to sink.

Hebrews 12:2a gives us great advice, saying, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus." There are so many frightening circumstances, and so many attractive distractions, in life that it's hard to "keep the Main Thing the main thing," but it is of primary importance to do so in order to stand firm and stay balanced.

What is the primary focus of your life? To what end do you spend the most of your time, energy, and other resources? When you come to the end of your life, what do you hope to have accomplished? What epitaph would you choose to sum up your life? One of my sister-in-laws has chosen, "She did what she couldn't." The only way we can do what we can't is to stay focused on Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us.

Father, may we say with Paul, "One thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in C'hrist Jesus." May we stay focused on Your Son. Amen.

Life's Little Frustrations

The beach is such a happy place--

The waves, the sand, the sun in your face.

But if you aren't careful a painful sight--

A sunburned body--will appear by night!

God's plan?

Matthew 14:28-29a, "'Lord, if it's you,' Peter replied, 'tell me to come to you on the water.' 'Come,' he said."

When Peter saw Jesus walking on the stormy sea, he asked Jesus' permission to join Him. Why didn't impulsive Peter just jump out of the boat and head toward Jesus? That would have been in character for him. But, before Peter got out of the boat, he was wise enough to be sure Jesus thought that was a good idea. We all need to discern, as Peter did, whether our intentions fit into God's plans or whether they are just foolish impulses on our part.

Have you ever quickly made decisions without praying about them and then, with trepidation, asked God to bless your plans? The statement, "It's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission," is not found in the Bible. God wants to submit His plans to us for our obedience, not have us submit our plans to Him hoping for His approval. We are to seek His permission, as Peter did, before we act rather than after the fact.

Father, may I follow Your plans and Your direction for my life rather than asking You to bless my plans and taking off in different directions without consulting You. You are the Lord of my life. My I be careful to submit to Your lordship at all times. Amen.