Lent...and another thing about faith

"Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
​~ Matthew 14:29

I don't know about you, but I'm so thankful that I don't have to test my faith by stepping out onto the water.  As much as I hope that I would have faith enough to step out of the boat if Jesus were to call me to "step out," I'm not very sure whether I could stand, or take that first step.

I always remind myself when it comes to the story of Peter stepping out to attempt to walk on water, that the boat was full of others who claimed to be disciples of Jesus.  Peter is the ONLY one who decides to try his luck among the waves.  The rest sat back and simply watched.

We all have our own individual reasons for believing in God. The same goes with the way that we express that belief.

Jesus calling Peter out to walk on the waves was God's way of dealing with Peter. It just so happens he did it in front of a boat load of people. Our response to God's calling is not always meant to be a public display, or test.

I sat and listened to someone doubt their relationship with God, all because they never stood up, walked to the front of the church, and made a public confession that Jesus was their Savior. It was hard for the person to receive the comfort of knowing that the relationship was valid, all because he had to react to his faith in a specific way.

I'm so glad that Peter's future as the cornerstone of the church wasn't dependent upon the day he began to sink like a rock, rather than being the rock that Jesus would claim he would build his church.

The same goes for each one of us. The funny thing about faith is the fact it is based upon the belief in something that we can't see. It's knowing something exists, like the air we breathe, without thinking about it.

While Peter begins to doubt his faith, and surely must have had a brain flash, "I can't walk on water," Jesus is already present to help pull him from the abyss.

Each day that I am thankful that I don't have to prove my faith, but rather, just accept that it is present.

Stay in God's grip!

G. Todd Williams (c) 2019