Come and Walk with Me

Roller coasters are an amazing thing to look at. The way they are

designed and programmed to run is fascinating. The speed, twists,

turns are exciting and to see people’s faces on them is also quite

interesting. Some people have a look of terror, and some have the

look of fun. Most of them, for the most part, look like they are

enjoying the thrill ride. Life also, at times, can be like that of a roller

coaster ride because of all the ups, downs and twists and can really try

and test our faith, even for those who rely on God.

In Matthew 14:23-24 we read about Jesus and His disciples. In

this passage Jesus tells the disciples to get into a boat and go to the

other side of the lake while He dismisses the crowd He was

ministering to. As the disciples headed off to do this, Jesus went to

pray alone for a while which ended up being until evening time.

When He was done praying, He saw that the disciples were out far

from shore and He decided to walk on the water towards them. As

Jesus was making His way to the disciples in the boat a great wind

started to blow out on the sea. Verses 26-31 state, “the disciples then

saw a figure coming towards them and cried out in fear saying, “It’s a

ghost.” Jesus though immediately responded to them by saying,

“Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Peter then said to Jesus,

“Lord if it is you tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus then

gives Peter the okay and tells him to “come.” Peter then gets out of

the boat, and walks on the water towards Jesus, but as he was doing

so, he noticed the wind picking up around him. Peter then became

very afraid and began to sink and cried out, “Lord save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out His hand towards him and said, “You

of little faith. Why did you doubt?”

This is a great story and yet the question is, what if Jesus had

asked you to “walk out.” What would you have done? Would you

have been distracted and afraid of the wind that was starting to blow

your way? Would you have made it all the way to Jesus or would the

fear of what was happening around you cause you to sink?

I cannot imagine what that moment must have been like not

only for Peter but also for the other disciples who were watching all

this take place. Imagine what that moment had to have been like

when Peter realized he was doing it. That he was walking on water.

Then unfortunately, Peter’s focus was shifted from that of Jesus and

then on his circumstances.

The reality for all of us is we live in a world that will always have

twists, turns, and ups and downs, but we cannot allow ourselves to be

focused on them. We must continually keep our eyes and our focus

on the Lord. For when we are fixed and focused upon Him that’s

when the impossible is made possible. That is when we can do all

things through Christ who strengthens us as Philippians 4:13 states.

We have to also remember that the Lord we serve is bigger than

any wind that blows our way. We need to get to the place in our lives

in which we are so rooted and grounded in Him that “worldly”

circumstances do not affect the direction we are going. When that

happens, although we may not be physically walking on water, we will

be doing some amazing things because of Jesus Christ. Even for

Peter one needs to remember that he was the only one who got out

of the boat that night. For that, one needs to admire him. Even

though he didn’t make it all the way there and back, he did choose to

get out of the boat!

Are you willing to get out of your so-called boat and walk with

Jesus? Are you willing to walk in the direction of Jesus despite what

twists and turns come along to try and distract you? Are you willing

to walk by faith and not by sight? If you are then that’s when you can

“walk on water” with your master and that is when the impossible is

made possible.

What About You?

1. Are you facing a situation today where Jesus is calling you to

do something that may seem impossible?

2. Are you willing to pray for courage and take the first step?

By Gina Burns from God's Garden Tools