At abut four o'clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They (the disciples) were scared out of their wits. "A ghost!" they said, crying out in terror. But Jesus was quick to comfort them. "Courage, it's me. Don't be afraid." Peter, suddenly bold, said, "Master, if it's really you, call me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come ahead." Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. (MSG)
Fear, trust and failure are words I've been working on for a long time. And this Scripture really got me thinking about those words in a way I never expected.
Peter had fear, but when he heard 'the ghost' was Jesus and heard his comforting words, Peter trusted. Peter walked on water. Then I thought about failure. In verse 30, Peter got scared of the high waves under his feet and started to sink at the point he took his eyes off Jesus and I asked myself if Peter failed because he was afraid or because he took his eyes off Jesus for a moment?
But then what about the other disciples? They had to have been afraid, but they didn't even try to trust Jesus. They just sat in the boat and watched. So who failed? Peter or the disciples?
Peter tried to overcome his fear, he walked to Jesus on the water and even though he didn't keep his eyes on Jesus for the entire time, I don't think he failed in Jesus' eyes. But I do believe the disciples were the failures because they never tried.
Being afraid is a strong emotion I have to overcome. With all my fears and thinking I don't trust God enough, I feel like a failure. My close friends keep telling me I'm not as I'm trying to stay focused on God and am trying to overcome my fears and even though I sink to the bottom more than I walk on the water, they tell me that God is pleased with me. I need to hear those words because they are encouraging words which help keep me focused on God and not myself.
It would be so much easier to be like the disciples in the story and stay in the boat during my rough times. But I know it's not what God wants from me and I have to remember that as long as I keep trying, I won't be a failure in his eyes.
Nancy
