Sunday, January 22, 2012

"During the fourth watch of the night 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 cired out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afreaid." -- Matthew 14:26-27

When we see things that don't make sense, often our response is one of fear.  In this story, it's late night (or very early morning) and the disciples are in the boat and see Jesus walking on the water.  Peter challenges Jesus-- saying "if it's you, Lord, tell me to walk to you on the water."  So Jesus says, "come on!"  Peter begins to actually walk on water!  But as soon as he gets his senses about him, what happens?  He begins to sink.  He cries out to Jesus again in fear, and Jesus saves him.

Fear cripples faith.  It tells us what "can't" instead of what "can".  It stifles our sense of the possible and chokes creativity and vision.  Jesus is calling you to walk on water too.  You can step out in faith, but can you keep going?

Readings:  Genesis 44:1-45:28; Matthew 14:13-36; Psalm 18:37-50; Proverbs 4:11-13