Take Courage

Note: I am in Wheeling, WV and was not able to connect with the internet until I was given the proper pass code. All is good now, as you see.

 

 Matthew 14:22-33

Jesus Walks on the Water

²² Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. ²³ After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, ²⁴ and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

²⁵ Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

²⁹ “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

How well Peter represents us! We think we have reached the highest level or faith and trust, yes, able to walk to walk on water, but then our true colors show, and we too begin to sink. How many times have we had to call, "Lord, save me!"?  And how many time has Jesus done that? Peter was the man chosen to lead the young Church, but as we see him sinking in the waters, we'd hardly think so.  Yet, we are all called to roles for which we don't seem to qualify because of our lack of faith...but Jesus bears up with our weakness, continues to strengthen and groom us and we find ourselves doing things we never thought we could...The Peter who preached on Pentecost and who lead the early Church was a far cry from this sinking Peter!  Let us take heart from this story and open our hearts more and more to the call and plan of Jesus for us.  We will find ourselves doing things we never thought we could.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, your plan for me and the means to accomplish it surpass my wildest dreams. Give me the courage to do whatever you ask of me, even if it's to walk on water!. Amen.