Sink or Walk?

Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him (Peter). “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” Matthew 14:31

Reread this verse, only this time insert your name and read it in the loving voice of Jesus. (In knowing the Jesus that I’ve personally experienced, I don’t believe that this verse was spoken in a condemning tone but rather a soft, loving one.)

There have been countless times when I know without a doubt, Jesus was saying to me, “Monika, daughter, you have so little faith.” I have been like Peter, doubting when Jesus was literally right there. My faith has grown over the years but I am still intentional about examining it and I want to encourage you to do the same! Let’s look at Peter’s account of faith.

Matthew 14:24-31 reads:

24Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”

27But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

28Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”

29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.

 30But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

31Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

Notice how it was Peter’s faith in Jesus and the power of Jesus that would enable him to walk on water. Really meditate on this fact. Faith in Jesus + the power of Jesus resulted in one of the most amazing miracles in the Bible! Walking on water could not just be accomplished with baby faith. Something miraculous like that could not be accomplished by “I’ll believe it when I see it” type of faith. Nor could it be done by Peter’s strength alone. And because of this, I think of it to be such a commendable moment for Peter. Because of Peter’s faulty past; I love this victorious moment for him!

 I’m kind of sad that Peter’s moment was short lived. 

Now that we see how Peter’s faith enabled him, let’s look at how that same faith, when misdirected; DISABLED him. Notice how it was Peter’s lack of faith, distraction from Jesus and fear that caused him to sink. Ahh, Peter we were rooting for you! Jesus was right there, guiding you. Why’d you take your eyes off Him to look at the storm?

Well…

We could ask ourselves the very same thing. Those of us who KNOW God is real. Those of us who’ve experienced Him personally. We’ve witness His miracles, His goodness, His continued mercy and grace. Why then, do we doubt Him when the storms of life come? Why do we go from relying on Him in this area but not that area? Everything we have comes from God, so why aren’t we relying on Him to help us manage it? Too often, we are relying on our own strength, planning and plotting how to attain our desired outcome. But have we asked God what He wants for us? 10x out of 10, He has something greater in store for us than we have for ourselves.  Have we asked for His help and actually waited for Him to come through? 

I imagine that walking on water during “strong waves and heavy winds” was terrifying for Peter. But it made me realize that those scary moments of uncertainty are necessary for our faith to grow and to lead us into complete reliance on the Savior. James 1:3 tells us, “When your faith is tested, it stirs up in you the power of endurance.”

When we find ourselves in situations that makes us feel like we are out in the middle of the sea with nothing to cling to; that’s when He is leading us into a deeper dependency on Him + growing “the power of endurance” in us. When He leads us to a place where the only options are like Peter’s; to walk through uncertainty or drown; it is Him inviting us to walk with the One who is most certain of all things. As we focus on Him, we will not drown. But even more beautifully, when we do get distracted by the storms of life and start to sink; Jesus immediately reaches out and grabs us (Matt. 14:31). 

Another noteworthy victorious moment for Peter is that when he began to sink, Jesus was his FIRST resort. “He was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted (v30). Peter didn’t call on his spouse (Eden) or the other disciples (his friends). He didn’t rely on his own strength, his resources, nor did he rely on his title as Jesus’s disciple. No. He knew they could not sustain him. He did however, call on the name of the Lord and though he sank, he did not drown. The storm did not overtake him, ultimately and he was rescued.

Isaiah 43:2 affirms, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.”

While we’re reaching for people, places, things, accolades, validation and circumstances to rescue us; Jesus is reaching His hand out to us waiting for us to take hold of it. That doesn’t mean it will always be comfortable, nonetheless He is with you. 

He sees and He cares. He longs to help us in every area of our lives whether its parenting, work, finances, relationship, your attitude, or even choosing your next hairstyle (if you know, you know lol). Sis, give God the space to be God in your life. He see’s you. He knows all aspects. He loves you so deeply. He is working in the background. Slow down, wait and trust Him. Let Him prepare you. Ask Him what He’s is trying to teach you and learn all you can. I can assure you that like Peter, you WILL be victorious over the storms of uncertainty!

This week, I challenge US to do as Proverbs 3:5-6 advises.

5Trust in the Lord completely,

and do not rely on your own opinions.

With all your heart rely on him to guide you,

and he will lead you in every decision you make.

6Become intimate with him in whatever you do,

and he will lead you wherever you go.

In Jesus’s name!

Let’s pray:

My dear Jesus, thank You for winning the total victory over the enemy. We understand that because we live in a fallen world, difficulties are sure to come. But because we believe in You, You are with us in it all. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like it and I ask that when this is the case, You’d help me stand on what I know and not what I feel or perceive. Forgive me for any doubt, distractions and fear. Forgive me for the times that I’ve knowingly and unknowingly made a person or circumstance my god, by trusting in them more than You. Destroy all idolatry, fear, oppression, confusion, distraction, destruction, ingraditude, distrust, self-reliance, pride and double mindedness in my life. I repent. I ask that You’d take Your rightful place as God in my life. I give You access to every room in my heart and every area in my life. I humble myself and ask for Your help. Grant me the trust, protection and patience I need as I wait for You to come. Quiet my heart, calm my spirit and bring peace to my mind as You help me to be still. Speak to me, help me know Your voice and obey You. I surrender to Your will and Your timing. As a result, let Your victory flood my life! Blessing after blessing. May I never forget to give You the glory, Faithful God.

In Jesus’ name, amen.