That Sinking Feeling

Matthew 14:30

But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”

When Peter first stepped out of the boat, all He saw was Jesus.  He saw nothing but the one he desired to be with.  His focus was on His Lord and His Lord alone.  With His focus only on His Lord, he walked on water.  But then Peter let his focus shift to his surroundings and down he went.

It is a bit difficult for us to relate to walking on water, but we can all relate to finding ourselves in a place in life where we feel like we are sinking.  In these times, we are weak in faith and our doubts are overwhelming us.  

Too often we get to this place because we are seeking a way out through our own strengths.  Our focus is on our problems and not on the promises of Our Savior.  Peter was rebuked for his lack of faith.  We should know that we share in Peter's weakness.  There is no valid reason why the disciples of Jesus Christ should be of doubtful mind.  Even on the stormiest of days, He is our ever present help.  

With our focus on Jesus, two important things happen.  1) The things that are around us to scare us or hinder us become insignificant.  2) The vision of Who we are living for and where He is leading us becomes crystal clear.  Through Jesus, we are able to see clearly the path that God has set aside for us before we were even born.  Through Jesus, we find the strength to keep up the good walk of faith when the world distracts us.  Through Jesus, we are able to complete the course that ends in our eternal resting place with Almighty God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for creating each of us with a unique purpose through which we serve You and bring honor and glory to Your Name.  We rejoice in knowing that we can fulfill our purposes here on earth as well as in Your eternal kingdom.  We exalt the name of Our Savior, Jesus, who walks along side us to insure that we have the strength to overcome the torments of our flesh and the attacks of the enemy.  May we keep our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus so we are not distracted or hindered by the things which are trying to pull us away from our purposes.   May we stand before You one day and hear the words, "Well done, My good and faithful servant." We ask all these things in the name of Our Redeemer, Our King, Our Priest and Our Prophet, Jesus Christ.