Noticing the Wind

Just when you think you have it all worked out, doubt slips in.

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. After the people of that place recognized him, they sent word throughout the region and brought all who were sick to him, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed. - Matthew 14:22-36

If you are going to walk on water, you need to have confidence.  And not just a little confidence, but you need to ooze confidence.

There can be no doubt at all.

It only takes a second for all that confidence to crumble and leave you floundering, like Peter.

This is such a good lesson, true or not.  It tells us something about ourselves and our commitments.  We could be riding high, but then something rattles us, shakes our confidence and makes us falter.

Peter noticed the wind.

Surely he was aware of it before, but now, stepping out into unknown territory, it suddenly seemed different, threatening, perhaps.

What is our wind?  What shakes our confidence and makes us falter?

Perhaps it is someone who tells us they never expected that we could do what we set out to do, giving us a reason to doubt our abilities.

There must be a way to prepare ourselves for the inevitable gust of wind, that confidence shaker, whether it be intentional or not.

I think this is where the ego comes in, but not the way we normally think of the ego, not as a form of boasting, but of self-assurance    .

If we tell ourselves we are not alone, that the Holy Spirit of God is with us, we have something to hold onto, something real to keep us steady on the jouney.

The wind cannot shake us if we are doing this together.

So, maybe we need to notice the wind before we set out to walk on water, to accept it and nod to it, knowing our hand is touching God.

More to come...