Read: Matthew 14:22-33
When he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” (v. 30)
“Don’t look down.” I’m not typically afraid of heights, but I needed this reminder from the guide on the high ropes course. Strapped into safety ropes, I had to walk across a thin balance beam perched fifty feet above the forest floor. Even though it had been my idea to go up there in the first place, I found I could only force myself to start walking if I kept my eyes off the ground.
In the boat with his friends when the storm rose up, Peter had already displayed so much courage. He and his friends had spent hours rowing against the wind. Then they faced what they thought was a ghost (vv. 26-27). Peter said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Then Jesus said, “Come,” and Peter had the courage to leap out of the boat (vv. 28-29). He was actually walking on water! But somehow, when Peter saw the wind, he lost faith. He started to sink, so Jesus saved him (vv. 30-31).
Sometimes it’s when we’re in the middle of acting in faithfulness to Jesus that doubts assail us. We were doing so well—what happened? Maybe we took our eyes off Jesus and looked at the wind. When you are in the middle of walking in faith, don’t focus on what could go wrong. Keep your eyes on Jesus. And trust that if you do falter, Jesus will reach out and take hold of you.
As you pray, ask God to help you keep your eyes on him.
Sarah Sanderson is the author of The Place We Make: Breaking the Legacy of Legalized Hate. She lives with her husband and their four teenage children in Oregon.
