Stepping Out
Sometimes we ask for help and then become afraid to accept it.
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. - Matthew 14:28-32
In today's Gospel reading, we get a glimpse of what our fears do to us.
Peter asks for the ability to do what no man would even think could be done and he is told he has that ability, only to doubt as he steps out of the boat.
Taking the big leap of faith wasn't the problem for Peter. What caused him to fail was believing he could continue to do what he was doing.
How often do we find ourselves in the same situation?
We step out and once we find ourselves out there for all to see, we hesitate, doubting ourselves, wondering if what we did was wise.
We can't undo what we have done. We are out there, and we either walk or fall, swim or sink.
If someone tries to do what Jesus did, and gives us a chance to get out of the boat, do they have to be there for us when we falter?
Or is it up to us to keep ourselves moving forward?
Jesus tells Peter it is his faith that keeps him on the path.
In the world around us, there are people who may give us a chance, but they may not be able to walk with us and pick us up when we stumble. That is up to us to find the strength to do for ourselves.
Jesus didn't choose his disciples to be dependent on Him, but to be in the world for Him, carrying out His word without Him physically with them.
We all need to take the challenge to step out of the boat and walk, with faith in Him and in ourselves.
Peter believed Jesus would save him. Peter failed to believe in Peter.
We need to learn from Peter and choose never to cease believing in ourselves.
Through faith, all things are possible.
Live in faith.
More to come...