On Repeat
Matthew 14:27-31 (NIV)
But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take Courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’
Lord, if it’s you, Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’
‘Come,’ he said.
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?’
I LOVE a story. And this is one of my favourites.
Why? Well, because it’s just so real.
And, in the spirit of being real, I’ll admit writing these devotionals initially filled me with fear. I thought of all the amazing devotionals I’d read and wondered how mine could possibly speak to anyone. I definitely wasn’t feeling courageous. And then I was reminded that all I have to do is be obedient, and God will do the rest. Just like Peter.
In my praying and preparing for these devotionals, I sensed God was wanting to speak about courage, about knowing that God is with you, and being brave. But more than that, he knows that I, and you, need to hear it on repeat. If this resonates with one person… boom!
Emerging from the pandemic of these past couple of years is different for each of us. It feels rather like stepping out of the boat. For some it’s a huge relief: seeing people, engaging in face-to-face contact, is like breathing in fresh air. For others, it’s a challenge: the comfort of pj’s and engaging through a screen has been simply wonderful.
Whatever boat you are in… consider whether it’s time to step out and, if so, what that might look like for you? Or is it the moment for you to encourage someone else? Peter wasn’t putting Jesus to the test by asking him to call him out of the boat; rather he was exercising faith. He wavered when the wind came, and he took his eyes off Jesus for a minute. If we focus on the wind and waves, we will flounder. Jesus deeply desires that we keep our eyes on him because he’s there, walking beside us every step of the way. And calling us to walk alongside others too.
Prayer — Lord, thank you that nothing can shake me when you are by my side. Thank you, that in you, I can always have the courage to step out of the boat.