One of the things I have never been able to begin and finish is learning how to swim. For some reason half way through the classes I get bored or something comes up that distracts my concentration. The high school I went to had a pool but I think in my 4 years there I only entered the pool 2 or 3 times. So all I can do now is float.
I remember going to the coast with my family and we took a boat ride and while we were deep in the ocean I was suddenly overcome with fear because I realized if the boat was to capsize I could not save my family or myself.
The disciples found themselves in an almost similar situation in Matthew 14. After Jesus had fed the 5000, He made the disciples get into a boat and cross over to the other side. Right in the middle of the night the disciples had an encounter that left them in fear. The wind and the high waves were beating and tossing the boat they were in and they thought for them, the end had come. Now remember that some of them like peter were seasoned fisher men and for them this was no foreign territory. So for them to be scared, things must have been bad.
Matthew 14:27-31
27But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. don’t be afraid.”
28″Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29″Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
If I was Peter I would probably have dived into the water and swam towards Christ because that was the most logical thing to do. But then again …I cannot swim, so I would have probably floated towards Jesus.
Even if it is walking on water, those were not the right circumstances but yet Peter still did it.
Several things we can learn from this portion of scripture
Jesus appeared at the time when the disciples were in trouble and in great need. Had the disciples chosen to focus on their problem, they would not have noticed Jesus standing right next to them Jesus is always right by your side when you go through trouble times. If you focus on your trouble, you will not be able to see Him.
After Jesus identified himself Peter asked Him to confirm, if it is you Lord, beacon me to come to you. When Jesus said come, Peter wasted no time; he jumped out of the boat. But wait….what if it was not Jesus?
That’s were many of us get stuck. Instead of acting in faith, we ask more questions. Notice none of the other disciples said a thing and none of them walked on water. Peter stepped out and did the impossible. He walked on water. Why? Because he dared Jesus
What is the storm you are facing in your life right now? Are the waves raising high and the winds beating against you? Just do what Peter did. Find Jesus in the storm and do exactly what He tells you to do. You will walk on the very thing that is your problem.
Why swim when you can walk?
Practical Response
When Jesus beacons you to come, don’t swim walk on the water and do the impossible
