“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus”
Matthew 14:22-29
It’s always such a sweet surprise.
That moment after you’ve stepped out in faith…taken a big leap…held your breath and hoped against hope that what God says will happen will actually take place.
And then it does.
I know. You’d think after all of these years it wouldn’t be such a surprise. After all God has done, all He’s provided, every miracle, and every time He’s proven Himself faithful, you’d think it would be old news. Still, it never is.
Maybe I’m just fearful by nature. Perhaps I’ve been disappointed too many times in life. But faith and hope are not easy for me.
I’m a big believer in obedience. I understand that when God calls me to do something, it’s my job to obey.
I am a huge proponent of love. Because I’m passionately in love with Jesus I will follow wherever He leads.
I don’t struggle with sacrifice. I know who I am and Who God is and that anything I give up for Him is a pittance compared to all He’s given me.
I’m even learning to trust---trust that whatever happens will be God’s will and serve the greater good.
But believing for a happy ending---hoping that after I take that step of faith and figuratively step out of the boat, God will actually come through and help me walk on water---well, the truth is that this never comes easy.
Instead, my first thoughts whenever I hear Jesus call, “Come here and try this” are always fear followed by questions.
“Have You seen these waves?”
“You understand that this isn’t normal for people to walk on water?”
“Do you understand that according to statistics, there’s a massive probability that I’m going to drown?”
Sometimes I think God smiles and maybe even laughs as He says, “C’mon, just give it a try.”
And eventually, I put my little toe into the water, hold my breath and grit my teeth, and obediently step out of the boat thinking, “Well, at least I know Jesus is there to catch me when I go under.” (Just being honest here ladies—few will ever call me braveheart.)
Then it happens---a miracle.
God comes through in the most amazing ways and provides, protects, or opens a door that only He could open. And every single time I am stunned. Surprised. Overwhelmed by grace.
Filled with praise and worship I’m doing the happy dance around my house, completely in awe of the wonderful God we serve.
Then I wonder, “Is it wrong to be so surprised? Shouldn’t I be so accustomed to God’s direction that I’m almost jaded to it?”
Until I small voice inside of me says, “No, I hope I never become jaded.
I hope that I am always amazed in childlike wonder that the God of the Universe is interested in my day to day affairs.
I pray that I’m always humbled at His miracles and never take them for granted or think that I deserve them.
I hope that I’ll always be so overwhelmed by God’s grace and mercy that I always giggle with glee whenever God fulfills His Word or keeps a promise.
Whenever God actually enables me to walk on water in faith, I pray that I’ll do the happy dance on the waves.”
Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder,
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger,
May you never take one single breath for granted,
GOD forbid love ever leave you empty handed,
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
---Mark Sanders & Tina Sillers
