Come

"Peter got out of the boat and he began to walk on the water toward Jesus.  But when he saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, 'Lord, save me!'" (Matthew 14: 29-30).

Verses 22-32 in the 14th chapter of Matthew have to be some of my favorite verses in all of Scripture. It is the ultimate measuring stick of faith.  You get to place yourself in the shoes of Peter and ask yourself just how far you would get across the water.  Would you make it all the way to Jesus?  Would you get halfway?  Would you even step out of the boat?  OR would you sit back and be scared to even ask like the rest of the disciples?

These are valid questions to ask yourself when your faith is being tested, or if you just feel like your faith is absent.  I know for me personally, being able to pray over this section from Matthew has enabled me the ability to really check where I am in my own faith. There are times for me where I am not only out of the boat, but sprinting towards Jesus and never looking down. "Yes, Jesus I'm coming.  I'm exhausted from running this race, but I'm coming and I'm not stopping."  However, there are other times when I am afraid to get out of the boat.  "No Jesus, I can't.  I'll drown."

What needs to be remembered and what must never be forgotten is that Jesus will never let you drown.  Even if you feel like you're about to sink, don't take your eyes of Christ because He is never taking his eyes off of you.  Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and he started to sink.  "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Mathew 14:31)  Sounds like a reprimand or a condemnation right? It's not.  It's an invitation. It is an invitation to grow in your faith, to trust more in the saving power of God.  Will it hurt?  Yeah.  Will it be uncomfortable?  Yeah.  But it doesn't matter!  Because whenever you stick your neck out and trust God, all you have to do is go back to this story.  In verse 31 before he asks Peter why he doubted, he saved him.  "Immediately he stretched out his hand and caught him."

Peter took a chance and was saved.  He may have gotten a little wet and possibly a little embarrassed, but he was saved.  Now it's your turn.  Take a chance.  Step out of the boat and run towards Christ. But do not ever take your eyes off of him and his cross.  Jesus will save you and protect you at all times.  All you need to do is just have a little faith.