Walking on Water is No Walk in the Park

One day I was walking through the mall, feeling fine, when suddenly a jagged white circle entered my field of vision.  I sat down, called my husband (just in case) and calmly waited for the circle to grow and eventually disappear as I knew it would.

Obviously I had experienced this before.  It’s called an Ocular Migraine, a painless, head-ache-less, distortion of the vision.  But of course I didn’t know that the first time it occurred.

Those first few episodes were terrifying.   To have your vision suddenly hampered, even without pain, stops you in your tracks and panic takes over.

Peter experienced a similar situation.  Peter, a follower of Jesus, was out in a boat one night with his friends. Pretty soon the wind proved to be more than they bargained for. After a long night of struggle, they saw a figure on the water walking toward them.  “It’s a ghost!” they cry.  No, it was Jesus!

Before the disciples knew what was happening, Peter climbed right out of the boat, and walked on the water!  Amazing!  Exhilarating!

But Peter’s joy quickly turned to fear.  The wind was still blowing, waves were still towering.  Panic ensued.

Recently, I was feeling like those disciples, rowing for life against the wind.  My life was ridiculously busy.  To say I was over-committed is an understatement.  For some time I felt God nudging me to simplify my life; to modify my hurried, harried schedule.

There was just one problem, I couldn’t possibly do that without eliminating the one activity that provided income.  But after many tears and much prayer, I “stepped out of the boat” and quit my job.

And I thought that was hard.

I soon discovered that the first step out of the boat is nothing compared to that trek across the water.

Like Peter in Mathew 14, I began to panic.

“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 (who wouldn’t be?) and beginning to sink, cried out, Lord, save me!”  (Matthew 14:29-30)

As you know, a Peter Panic is not fun!  It’s robs you of sleep, hampers your appetite, or for some, increases it! And worse, it makes you doubt yourself, your decisions, and especially God. You wonder if you “heard wrong.”  Can you relate?

You question not only getting out of the boat, but setting sail at all!

Which leads me back to Peter and his buddies. Why did the disciples get into the boat in the first place?  Didn’t they know it was going to be a rocky ride?  These are experienced fishermen!  Didn’t anyone teach them “Red sky at night?”  Surely they knew the signs.

(I’m no dummy either! Why in the world would anyone give up a job they love?)

For the answer, go back a few verses to Matthew 14:22. “Jesus made the disciples get into the boat.”

What?  Jesus sent them out into the storm?

You have to wonder why Jesus, the Son of God, who knows all things, would intentionally send his disciples out into that situation.

I’m asking the same question.  Uh, hello God, you were behind this, why the stormy ride?

Right here is where we play the blame game. So often when things go wrong, get tough or messy, we start pointing fingers at God.  “YOU did this!  YOU made this hard thing happen to me!  YOU’RE bringing this ugly (you fill in the blank) thing into my life and it’s making me miserable!”

Whoa, hold on there.  I want you to take note of something – Jesus did send them into the boat.  He did. But not for their demise.

He intentionally set up this little event, and others like it, to show in tangible ways just who He really was!  For instance, immediately prior to this aquatic adventure, Jesus feeds the masses with slim pickings.  At other times, he healed folks, cast out demons, and let’s not forget that he calmed the wind and waves.

Jesus wants us to know He IS all powerful.  He IS trustworthy.  He DOES know all about our storms.  We need only trust him and worship as the disciples did.  “Truly you are the Son of God.”

I know what you’re thinking.

“Sound’s easy, Gretchen, but it’s NOT!”

I hear you. I’m living it.

I’ve been pouring over my prayer journal, searching again for the signs and clues God gave me which led to my stormy journey.  Why? Because like many others, I fail to remember that God’s way isn’t always the easy way.

Why is it as Christians we believe if Jesus is behind something, it will be smooth-sailing?

One of my favorite Bible verses is, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5)

Here’s another one “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11)

I like those verses.  They make me feel warm and fuzzy.

We think, “If I love God and follow him, my life will be happily-ever-after.”

But by doing so, we forget Jesus’ words, “In this world you will have trouble…” (John 16:33).

And later, a much more mature Peter will remind us, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12)

Following Jesus is hard, messy, and certainly not always smooth.  But it doesn’t necessarily mean we’re off-course.

We get off course when our vision shifts.

Notice when Peter’s panic began, not when he got into the boat, not when the storm rolled in, not even when he stepped out of the boat in faith.  Peter’s panic began when “he saw the wind” in other words, when he took his eyes off Jesus.

When our sight is diverted from the Savior we are vulnerable to panic, which simply put, is fear.

F.E.A.R. – False Evidence Appearing Real

Peter’s false evidence came in the form of wind and waves, not that the waves weren’t real, but they led him to believe they were more “real” or more powerful than Jesus.

Like Peter, we also become distracted by the “evidence” around us, and our vision is impaired.

My “waves” came in the form of obvious financial stress.  (enter anxiety) Then we decided to down-size but our first attempt at selling our home failed.  (Fear grows)  And what about the unknown!  What’s ahead?  Where’s this journey going?  How long? (Panic reigns!)

Thankfully, Panicky Peter knew what to do, “Lord, save me!” he cried.  Peter called out to the One who sent Him on the journey across the lake.

We can call out to Him too and find firm footing once again.

You see, we’re not on this journey alone.  Remember the warm and fuzzy verses I quoted earlier?  Take a peek back at them.  The Proverbs verse does promise a straight path, but only after we trust in the Lord, fully relying on Him.

The Jeremiah verse is also one of those well-known-often-quoted-and-framed sections of scripture.  It’s frequently taken out of context and used for the “prosperity for all” bandwagon.  Its truth is found when partnered with the subsequent verses.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13)

God does not promise to smooth the way for us but navigate the road with us.

Let me try to explain it this way.  There is a new title for over-protective mothers.  The “Helicopter Mom” has been replaced by the “Lawn Mower Mom.”  This Mom doesn’t just hover and shelter, she clears the path, picking out the rocks, obstacles and other hazards that can trip up her little darling.

It’s not meant as a compliment.

These children, who are never given problems to solve, never face unknown situations, but rather, have each challenge “lovingly” removed by Mrs. John Deere, are unable to navigate this difficult life.

Thankfully, our God is not like that.  Indeed, the hardships we face develop two important traits God want us to acquire.

First, He’s developing in us a heart that unequivocally trusts in Him –

a heart willing to step into the water when we hear His voice; and a mind which recognizes that our water-walking has nothing to do with our own abilities, but His power alone. Then we, like His disciples, will worship Him and say, “Truly You are the Son of God!”

Second, He wants to mature and equip us.

James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything.”

God’s got work for us to do – hard work – to be His hands and feet to a lost and dying world.  That takes some training.

We recently sold our house, and within days found a new one.   With a spinning head and a pounding heart, I’m tempted to panic once again.    But as I’ve learned with my strange migraine episodes, I am okay.  I’m not alone.  As I step across the next set of waves, I know I need to keep my eyes on Jesus and my hand firmly tucked in His.

How about you?  When has Jesus sent you out on a rough voyage or asked you to step out in faith? I’d love to hear your story!  I’m sure it was – or is – a wild ride.

But when it’s over we shall all say, “He is the Son of God!”

http://https://youtu.be/xoZE2RsthRg

About Post Author

Gretchen Huesmann

See author's posts