Reflection for July 17, 2014

"Peter answered him, ' Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."(Matthew 14:28)

Most of us have heard the story of Jesus walking on the water and ultimately leading to Peter wanting proof that it is really Jesus by asking to be commanded to walk to Jesus on the water. This of course is something that normally most of us don't do.  And ultimately Peter sinks as well.

The story isn't really there to teach us to defy the laws of nature.  The first thing I notice was a desire to get out of the boat, to leave the safety of our current situation and risk doing something that might not work.  Peter and we do this from a place of faith. We hope we are hearing the call of Christ to do so.  But I think Peter's first mistake was making it into a mini test "if it is you."

Because it really was the Jesus, Peter is able to walk on water.  That initial trust was there helping him to do something that most of us wouldn't attempt.  We probably would talk ourselves out of. Easier to stay in the boat. 

What causes Peter to sink, and in many ways what causes us to not reach our own goals and the following our individual callings, is when we see that attaining them will not be without some risk, some "strong wind," that is working against us.  When Peter noticed that wind, the doubts of his abilities and the pursuit of what he had asked for and longed for fell apart and he sank.

Doubts are strong inhibters and many times can stop us from even getting out of the safety of our boats.  But if you ask Jesus for guidance and you get, better to keep walking.

Blessings,
Ed