At every stage of life it seems there is some sort of storm that must be weathered.
As Peter recognized Jesus walking on the water and jumped out of the boat towards him a storm suddenly arose. Lovely, impetuous Peter "saw the wind boisterous" and his faith wavered. He could walk on the water to his Master when the water was calm, but when it wasn't? Peter faltered. He began to sink.
We know that Peter went on to develop a great and unshakable faith in his Savior. He bore strong testimony of the resurrected Christ. Ultimately he was killed for his beliefs.
No doubt at this moment of Jesus walking on the water, Peter had already had many experiences on which he had built his testimony of Christ. He had seen many miracles and healings. I am sure he felt his faith growing and that it was strong. And I think it was.
And yet.
We all have moments where seeing the wind boisterous, we fall back, and are afraid.
I find it comforting that in the moment when Peter could not maintain his faith to continue walking on the water, when fear of the elements surrounded him, that Christ reached out to Peter and saved him. When our own storms arise if we will continue towards Christ, even though we may sink, the Lord will come to us, and pull us up and walk us back to the boat.
Peter did walk on the water. He did it. But just like so many things in life, the blowing winds and reacting waves undid him. I suppose Peter had yet to really learn, or maybe he needed to learn again, what we must all learn: that no matter the storms that come to us, and in this world there are many, that He is always there.
I truly believe this:
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. ~ John 16:33
As Peter recognized Jesus walking on the water and jumped out of the boat towards him a storm suddenly arose. Lovely, impetuous Peter "saw the wind boisterous" and his faith wavered. He could walk on the water to his Master when the water was calm, but when it wasn't? Peter faltered. He began to sink.
We know that Peter went on to develop a great and unshakable faith in his Savior. He bore strong testimony of the resurrected Christ. Ultimately he was killed for his beliefs.
No doubt at this moment of Jesus walking on the water, Peter had already had many experiences on which he had built his testimony of Christ. He had seen many miracles and healings. I am sure he felt his faith growing and that it was strong. And I think it was.
And yet.
We all have moments where seeing the wind boisterous, we fall back, and are afraid.
I find it comforting that in the moment when Peter could not maintain his faith to continue walking on the water, when fear of the elements surrounded him, that Christ reached out to Peter and saved him. When our own storms arise if we will continue towards Christ, even though we may sink, the Lord will come to us, and pull us up and walk us back to the boat.
Peter did walk on the water. He did it. But just like so many things in life, the blowing winds and reacting waves undid him. I suppose Peter had yet to really learn, or maybe he needed to learn again, what we must all learn: that no matter the storms that come to us, and in this world there are many, that He is always there.
I truly believe this:
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. ~ John 16:33
Oh, beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI truly needed to read this today. Thank you.