Walking on the Water

         God has been teaching me a lot about faith these past few months. I recently read A.W Tozer’s The Pursuit of God and in this book he describes faith as being “the gaze of a soul upon a saving God.” When I read this it reminded of when Peter walked on the water in Matthew 14:22-33.

You see, in verse 26 the disciples were fearful because they were gazing at what they thought was a ghost walking on the water towards them. But Peter, gazing through the eyes of faith, saw the Savior instead. And he said, “Lord if it be thou; bid me come unto thee on the water.” I can only imagine what all was going on in the minds of the disciples who were watching this take place. Not only is Peter talking to ghost like it’s the Lord, but he’s climbing out of the boat when they’re in the middle of sea, and in the midst of a storm nonetheless! Following Christ is a lot like that today. It’s like stepping out of a boat in the middle of a storm. It’s like walking on the water. Those who don’t have faith think we’re just chasing after a ghost. They don’t see the Savior beckoning us to come. They don’t understand what it’s like to just want to be closer to Christ. They don’t know what it’s like to gaze upon a saving God. They don’t know what faith is all about.

          As I mentioned earlier, God’s been teaching me a lot about faith lately. I’ve had to take Him for His promises, and put my trust in His plan even when it didn't make sense. At times, I felt like Peter, walking on the water while the waves crashed around me. There may have been a boat full of faithless people behind me, but Jesus was in front of me and that's all that mattered. That first step of faith can be an empowering one, and the next few steps may seem easier because of it. But it isn’t long until that wind starts howling, and fear starts to creep in. Peter wasn’t perfect, he made mistakes just like we do. Peter’s mistake came when he took his eyes off Christ. He suddenly became aware of the storm around him, and his fear began to take control. He lost faith for an instant, and the waters began to pull him under. Satan works in the same way. When we take our eyes off Jesus, we become aware of the world around us, and it's then that we let our fears overcome our faith. Satan will try to catch us in those moments of weakness, and he'll try to pull us under. But if we do like Peter did and cry out for the Lord to save us – then verse 31 says that immediately He will stretch forth His hand and catch us. 

          As powerful of a testimony as that was, Peter’s story of faith (and his lack thereof) didn't just end there. The Bible says that when he and Jesus had come back into the boat, the winds ceased. Then, the disciples, who had been looking through faithless eyes, came and worshipped Christ saying “Of a truth, thou art the Son of God.” Wow! This reminds me of Romans 8:28 which says that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” You see, Peter stepped out in faith... and even though he may have stumbled in his fear, God still used him to fulfill a purpose.  By stepping out on faith, Peter helped to open the eyes of those who had been blinded by their fears. So I encourage you to step out, because you never know who's eyes may be opened because of your obedience. 


Listen to the words of this song...

“Step out, even when it’s storming.

Step out, even you’re broken.

Step out, even when you’re heart is telling you to give up.

Step out, when your hope is stolen.

Step out, even when you can’t see where you’re going.

You don’t have to be afraid.

So what are you waiting for?

You know you’re made for more.

So don’t be afraid to move.

Your faith is all it takes, and you can walk on the water too.”