Proper 14 / OT 19
Devotional
Water From the Well
Lectionary Devotional For Cycle A
Object:
... You of little faith, why did you doubt?
-- Matthew 14:31
There is a book titled, If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat. One has to admire Peter for having the courage to get out of the boat. None of the other disciples took that step. Despite the fearsome storm that was raging around the boat, Peter did get out of the boat and actually walked on water, at least for a little while. It was an extraordinary act of faith. Not long after that wonderful act of faith, Peter looked around and saw the waves and the storm around him, and he began to sink. When Jesus asked Peter later, "Why did you doubt?" Jesus was implying that if Peter had kept his faith and kept his focus on Jesus, he could have continued to walk on the water. When we read the story, however, we know how easy it is, even for the most faithful, to suddenly be aware of the heights of the waves and the fierceness of the storm around us.
It is not easy to keep our focus on Jesus. Caught up in the miraculous vision of Christ walking on water, Peter stepped out onto the water himself. That was the miracle that should inspire us. It was not just Jesus but Peter, a very human person, who actually walked on water. We are capable of miraculous acts of faith. Yet, even in our most faithful moments, we are not immune from the fearful forces that impinge upon us. It is not a choice between faith and doubt for most of us. Rather, it is a life lived with a mixture of both. It is important to remember that Jesus does not abandon us to our own resources. When fear begins to overcome us, Christ is there offering us an extra hand. We are invited to get out of the boat, and we are not alone when we take those first steps.
-- Matthew 14:31
There is a book titled, If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat. One has to admire Peter for having the courage to get out of the boat. None of the other disciples took that step. Despite the fearsome storm that was raging around the boat, Peter did get out of the boat and actually walked on water, at least for a little while. It was an extraordinary act of faith. Not long after that wonderful act of faith, Peter looked around and saw the waves and the storm around him, and he began to sink. When Jesus asked Peter later, "Why did you doubt?" Jesus was implying that if Peter had kept his faith and kept his focus on Jesus, he could have continued to walk on the water. When we read the story, however, we know how easy it is, even for the most faithful, to suddenly be aware of the heights of the waves and the fierceness of the storm around us.
It is not easy to keep our focus on Jesus. Caught up in the miraculous vision of Christ walking on water, Peter stepped out onto the water himself. That was the miracle that should inspire us. It was not just Jesus but Peter, a very human person, who actually walked on water. We are capable of miraculous acts of faith. Yet, even in our most faithful moments, we are not immune from the fearful forces that impinge upon us. It is not a choice between faith and doubt for most of us. Rather, it is a life lived with a mixture of both. It is important to remember that Jesus does not abandon us to our own resources. When fear begins to overcome us, Christ is there offering us an extra hand. We are invited to get out of the boat, and we are not alone when we take those first steps.
