One of my favorite re-counted stories in the Bible (Matthew 14:22-34) is the one of the disciples out on the Sea of Galilee, when Jesus is seen walking ON TOP OF the water, and Peter, in yet another example of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), says, “hey Jesus, here I come!” …
and Jesus stretches out his hand towards Peter in an act of affirmation …
and Peter
walks on the water …
Imagine the adrenalin rush that Peter must have felt!
Imagine the sparkle in his eyes,
the smile on his face.
Imagine the stunned look on the faces of their boat-dwelling friends!
But, who was more ‘safe’?
The ones with wood and balsam holding them above the waves?
Or the one held above the waves by his gaze, his faith, towards the Messiah?
It is interesting to me that when Peter looked down, removing his gaze from the eyes of his Savior, he started to sink into the waves.
What a simple example of how we need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, to maintain our balance … to keep our head above water.
I recently began listening to the following song, one that parallels this simple teaching.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBJJJkiRukY
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
Hebrews 12:1-2a
itsawonderfilledlife 