Courage
Matthew 14: 25-33
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said.
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 and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God."
I have walked in Peter's shoes. Stepping out on faith to honor the path God places in my life. As soon as you get comfortable, you look around and get caught up in the world's storms. How many times have we caught ourselves sinking?
"Ye of little faith." Yeah, that would be me, too. There have been times I have literally been on my face shaking my fist at a God who continues to reply to a frequently asked request with one simple word..."wait." While it seems this prayer is hitting the ceiling, he awakes me from a dead sleep to tell me its time for a change in an area of my life where I least expected it. The road I have walked lately is not exactly the path I had planned or desired, and its absolutely tested my all.
A friend shared with me her fist shaking, anger filled conversations with God and how he answered her "why." God does not bring us through trials in our lives to make us stronger. That is just the byproduct of success. He brings us through to remind us we can do seemingly impossible things when he is by our side.
As long as Peter was focused on Jesus, he could walk on water. The same is true for us. If we keep our eyes fixed on the one who controls all areas of our lives, we can do it too! It may be excruciatingly hard. It may test us beyond what we think we are capable of doing. We may get wet, but he won't let us go under.
Psalm 27:14 says "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."
Warriors, be courageous in battle. We can get through anything the world throws at us. Victory is ours!
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said.
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 and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God."
I have walked in Peter's shoes. Stepping out on faith to honor the path God places in my life. As soon as you get comfortable, you look around and get caught up in the world's storms. How many times have we caught ourselves sinking?
"Ye of little faith." Yeah, that would be me, too. There have been times I have literally been on my face shaking my fist at a God who continues to reply to a frequently asked request with one simple word..."wait." While it seems this prayer is hitting the ceiling, he awakes me from a dead sleep to tell me its time for a change in an area of my life where I least expected it. The road I have walked lately is not exactly the path I had planned or desired, and its absolutely tested my all.
A friend shared with me her fist shaking, anger filled conversations with God and how he answered her "why." God does not bring us through trials in our lives to make us stronger. That is just the byproduct of success. He brings us through to remind us we can do seemingly impossible things when he is by our side.
As long as Peter was focused on Jesus, he could walk on water. The same is true for us. If we keep our eyes fixed on the one who controls all areas of our lives, we can do it too! It may be excruciatingly hard. It may test us beyond what we think we are capable of doing. We may get wet, but he won't let us go under.
Psalm 27:14 says "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."
Warriors, be courageous in battle. We can get through anything the world throws at us. Victory is ours!
Needed to read this right now! Thanks, Jennifer!
ReplyDeleteLaura, thank you for sharing. You have always impressed me with your positive attitude and your creative spirit. You can do anything!
ReplyDelete