Hey everyone!
It’s Monday morning, and I’m not sure what to write about today. So, this may sound like a rambling letter from “Rupert”, your second cousin once removed, who has this annoying habit of telling you a lot of stuff you could care less about! (Although, I do think that my writing is a little more engaging than Rupert’s.)
It’s a damp, cloudy, cool Monday morning. (hmmm, this is pathetic; I’ve resorted to writing about the weather.)
Since yesterday was Sunday, I guess I could write about yesterday’s sermon, “Get out of the boat”. The message was from Matthew 14: 22-32; the story of Peter’s walking on the water.
The pastor failed to capitalize on a most important point: Peter’s abysmal failure when he looked down at the waves instead of keeping his gaze on Jesus. That’s the point that guarantees the “Amen’s” as we listeners nod our heads in solemn agreement that we cannot understand how Peter could have had such a lack of faith. I mean, how hard can walking on the water be when Jesus says “come”. How stupid of Peter to get a little bit intimidated when he looked down at the crashing waves under his feet!
After all, whenever Jesus calls us, we immediately and instantly jump up and respond with no looking down and no looking back! (Editor’s Note: please read the previous sentences in your “sarcastic” voice!)
Our pastor made a very good point:
Peter may have failed, but he’s still the only man in history, other than Christ Himself, to have walked on water.
And, truth is, Peter did not fail to reach his objective. Was Peter’s real goal to walk on water? I think his desire was to reach the safety of Jesus’ side. The storm was so bad, that he, as veteran of the sea, wanted out of that boat. Peter did get his eyes off of the Lord, and his faith did falter. But even then, he cried out to Jesus “Save me!” And in that moment Peter found Jesus right at his side. Right where Peter needed Him to be. (As a bonus, the storm ended.)
Jesus’ invitation to “come” may mean stepping out into something that feels unknown, unsafe. As we respond, we may falter, or even fall and be tempted to think we’ve failed. But if those times prompt us to call out to Jesus, we once again experience His faithfulness. I doubt that Peter ever regretted stepping out of the boat.
So, if today requires you to step out into the unknown, be encouraged by Peter. He stepped out, he didn’t get it perfect, but he knew Who to call on. And he ended up at Jesus’ side. What better place is there to be?!
Sincerely
Mark (not Rupert, your second cousin once removed)
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