Over Under

Every so often I pull, Hope for the Brokenhearted, off my book shelf and read a chapter or two. The author of the book, Dr. Terveen was one of my professors at Multnomah Biblical Seminary. Just this past week, I read the chapter entitled, “In the Deepest Waters and Darkest Nights.” In this chapter Terveen takes a look at the all too familiar story of Peter walking on the water to Jesus. If you are like me you might have heard this story numerous times; it most likely is one you can recite without even thinking about it. You know that the disciples departed by boat, across the lake. A storm took place and the disciples were frightened by it (this is odd because they were fisherman and would have been used to stormy weather). Amongst the chaos, they saw a ghost, or at least that is what they thought of Jesus when they saw him walking on the water. As he got closer he said. “Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid.” Peter, after a brief interaction with Jesus, gets up out of the boat and walks towards Jesus. He eventually removes his focus from Jesus and is reminded of the turbulent storm moving about him. It is at this point that he begins to sink and fall. Immediately, Jesus stretches his hands out, grabbing Peter, saving him from drowning.

Do you feel like that sometime? Do you feel as if your footing is unstable, causing you to stumble and fall? Notice that Peter did not become consumed by his surroundings until he lost sight of Jesus. Peter’s initial step of faith was solid and firm because it was rooted on the presence of Christ directly in front of him. I can imagine him thinking. “Hey I got this. This is easy. Hey guys, look at me I am walking on the water.” If we are honest with ourselves each one of us can imagine Peter thinking those words because we all would probably think the exact same thing. It is in our nature to draw attention to ourselves, seeking praise for what we have done through our own power. It is the other way around; we should praise and glorify God for what he has done through us through his power.

Let me leave you with a phrase that Terveen writes towards the end of the chapter as a reminder that though we may seem over burdened and afraid we have a God who loves and cares for us, stretching hi hand out to us.

“We must remember that what looks like it is going to be over our heads is already under Jesus’ feet.”