178 of 365 - Walking on Water

And 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 and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Matthew 14:28-30
 
As the night sky gets darker, Jesus tells the disciples to get in the boat and sail to the other side.  I wonder if the disciples found spots in the boat to quietly reflect or if they were talking non-stop about the thousands they just fed from a boy’s meager lunch. However the reflection went down, it was temporary. Looking up they all see something frightening. What they perceive to be a ghost is approaching…walking on water.
 
Among the wind and waves, a familiar voice cries out, “Take courage. It is I. Don’t be afraid.” It’s Jesus. Of course it is Jesus.
 
Full of faith and expectation, Peter replies, “Lord, if it is you tell me to come to you on the water.” He knows Jesus can do what He says!
 
“Come,” Jesus says. And come Peter does. We don’t know how many steps he took, but we know he walked on the water toward Jesus.
 
But then he looked around. Instead of Jesus, Peter now sees the wind. Reason replaces faith and he begins to sink. “Lord, save me!” he cries.
 
Do you ever feel like Peter? A little faith here, a little doubt there? A desire to step on the water with Jesus, but panic when circumstances flash before your eyes?
 
So, what does Jesus do? He saves Peter. Immediately. He reaches his hand out and pulls his friend back up.  Jesus says, “You of little faith…why did you doubt?” It isn’t condemnation and it isn’t an excuse to let Peter sink further, but sorrow over what we miss when we take our eyes off of Him. Our actions don’t save us…we will always sink on our own. But oh my, the walking on water we could do with great faith. Why do you doubt?
 
Question: What habits can you instill to help you keep your eyes on Jesus instead of the waves of life?