Everybody Wants to Walk on Water
06/04/08 13:18
Everybody
wants to walk on water, but nobody wants to get out
of the boat. Have you ever noticed that? Most of us
want to experience the “wow!” with God but when He
calls us to step out in faith we say “whoa!” Too
risky! Can I really trust Him?
I confess, I quickly
forget yesterday’s miracles when today’s troubles
hit.
God has done some amazing things in my life over the
years so you’d think I wouldn’t worry when new
challenges arose – I wish!
I finally understand why the Children of Israel forsook Yahweh and began to worship the pagan idols of the Promised Land. They had learned that Yahweh could free them from slavery in Egypt, He could lead them and feed them for 40 years in the wilderness, and He even helped them to claim the land promised to Abraham 400 years earlier. But could He grow grain? They quickly forgot yesterday’s miracles. Just in case farming wasn’t in His celestial bag of tricks, they decided to stock up on a few of the local fertility gods.
I’m no different. God freed me from bondage. He led me through a decade-long wilderness. He gave me the courage to fight for – and claim -- my spiritual inheritance of abundant life. Why then, when today’s troubles arise, do I so quickly forget yesterday’s miracles? I reach for some “just in case” when His “just in time” is available to me…if I will step out in faith!
Remember the bible story about Peter walking on water? (If you need a refresher, turn to Matthew 14:22-33) It begins, “(Jesus) made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side.” Simply put, the disciples were going where He told them to go. In other words, they were “in His will.” Exactly where we want to be, right? (You’re supposed to say, “Right.”)
So off they go, rowing (or sailing) to the far shore while Jesus, who has just fed 5,000 people with a handful of barley cakes and a couple of trout, takes a little “time out” on the mountain to pray. Before long a storm moves in and the boat is battered by wind and waves.
What happens next? Jesus comes walking across the sea towards them. Take note: they have not cried out for Him or even prayed. Maybe that’s one of the reasons they don’t recognize Jesus when He approaches. The disciples knew that Jesus could feed the multitudes because He had done it 12 hours earlier, but could He walk on water too? Nah! Must be a ghost!
Back to you and me: Here we are, in the center of God’s will. Rowing like crazy. Heading where He told us to go. Pulling on those oars ‘til our hands are calloused and our shoulders are aching. Singing “row, row, row your boat” all the way because Christians love to sing right? (You’re supposed to say, “Right” again).
But suddenly the wind changes. A storm blows in. Wait a minute! Was that part of the plan? I thought if I was In God’s Will the seas would be calm?
What does this scripture say? Read it and see that:
Where do I get the faith to step out of the boat? Yesterday’s miracles! If you are in a storm, battered by waves you didn’t expect, please stop and think: What has God done for me in the past? As the hymn says, “count your many blessings, name them one by one.” Make a list!
He is bigger than your storm. He is bigger than your wayward child. He is bigger than your difficult spouse. He is bigger than your chronic illness. He is bigger than your broken heart. He is bigger than your current joblessness. He is bigger than your financial need. Reach out and take His hand. He is God.
I finally understand why the Children of Israel forsook Yahweh and began to worship the pagan idols of the Promised Land. They had learned that Yahweh could free them from slavery in Egypt, He could lead them and feed them for 40 years in the wilderness, and He even helped them to claim the land promised to Abraham 400 years earlier. But could He grow grain? They quickly forgot yesterday’s miracles. Just in case farming wasn’t in His celestial bag of tricks, they decided to stock up on a few of the local fertility gods.
I’m no different. God freed me from bondage. He led me through a decade-long wilderness. He gave me the courage to fight for – and claim -- my spiritual inheritance of abundant life. Why then, when today’s troubles arise, do I so quickly forget yesterday’s miracles? I reach for some “just in case” when His “just in time” is available to me…if I will step out in faith!
Remember the bible story about Peter walking on water? (If you need a refresher, turn to Matthew 14:22-33) It begins, “(Jesus) made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side.” Simply put, the disciples were going where He told them to go. In other words, they were “in His will.” Exactly where we want to be, right? (You’re supposed to say, “Right.”)
So off they go, rowing (or sailing) to the far shore while Jesus, who has just fed 5,000 people with a handful of barley cakes and a couple of trout, takes a little “time out” on the mountain to pray. Before long a storm moves in and the boat is battered by wind and waves.
What happens next? Jesus comes walking across the sea towards them. Take note: they have not cried out for Him or even prayed. Maybe that’s one of the reasons they don’t recognize Jesus when He approaches. The disciples knew that Jesus could feed the multitudes because He had done it 12 hours earlier, but could He walk on water too? Nah! Must be a ghost!
Back to you and me: Here we are, in the center of God’s will. Rowing like crazy. Heading where He told us to go. Pulling on those oars ‘til our hands are calloused and our shoulders are aching. Singing “row, row, row your boat” all the way because Christians love to sing right? (You’re supposed to say, “Right” again).
But suddenly the wind changes. A storm blows in. Wait a minute! Was that part of the plan? I thought if I was In God’s Will the seas would be calm?
What does this scripture say? Read it and see that:
Where do I get the faith to step out of the boat? Yesterday’s miracles! If you are in a storm, battered by waves you didn’t expect, please stop and think: What has God done for me in the past? As the hymn says, “count your many blessings, name them one by one.” Make a list!
He is bigger than your storm. He is bigger than your wayward child. He is bigger than your difficult spouse. He is bigger than your chronic illness. He is bigger than your broken heart. He is bigger than your current joblessness. He is bigger than your financial need. Reach out and take His hand. He is God.