THE WORD 4 ev 1

Today's reading is Matthew 14 (click here for link)

Have you ever jumped overboard in reckless abandon to go after Jesus? Peter did! He didn’t even seem to see the wind and waves. He simply obeyed when Jesus said, “Come.” Too often I think we pause to ponder the risk. We might think, “That ministry is just not for me, Lord. Someone else is better suited for that job.” If you are like me, the Lord will speak to you with urgency while you are driving in the car, but by the time I arrive at home or at the office, I have already explained to myself why I should not heed his voice. The truth of the matter is that as soon as we begin to question whether God has really spoken to us, it is precisely at that point that we have already lost the battle. Judge the merit of the calling. If you felt the urgency to do something good for the kingdom of God, then rest assured, Jesus spoke to you. So be reckless in serving him.

However, even Peter eventually wavered. Suddenly the waves and wind seemed too much for him to bear. He began to lose confidence in Jesus. It can happen easily, and when it does we will certainly sink. But notice that Jesus immediately reaches for Peter and draws him up.

This walking by faith is no easy task. It can cause even the most saintly to flounder at times. A few years ago, I met and prayed with a young woman who came to the church I was helping at. She was desperately seeking help. She felt she was sinking. She had recently moved from a nearby town. Her husband was a repeated drug user and it had become dangerous for her and her three boys to stay with him. She knew deep down that leaving him for the time being was the right option. She knew it was what God had put upon her heart. Yet, as soon as she moved away to live with some relatives (who were not so thrilled at the new arrangements) she began to doubt her decision. She had no job, no home, hardly any family. Now she was all alone. She told me she didn’t know what to do. In the past she had always just gone back, but then things would always get worse—dangerous. But fear was doing her in. She and I prayed. We prayed that the Lord might draw her up so that she can abandon her fears and reach out to grab hold of our Savior’s waiting arms.

The calling from our Lord is not always easy. It will take strength. Strength of faith!

Walk by faith and not by sight,
Pastor Aaron