Oceans
by Peter Lane 28 September 2021
Mathew 14 v22-33
Then Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people away. After sending the people away, he went up a hill by himself to pray. When evening came, Jesus was there alone; and by this time the boat was far out in the lake, tossed about by the waves, because the wind was blowing against it. Between three and six o'clock in the morning Jesus came to the disciples, walking on the water. When they saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. “It's a ghost!” they said, and screamed with fear. Jesus spoke to them at once. “Courage!” he said. “It is I. Don't be afraid!” Then Peter spoke up. “Lord, if it is really you, order me to come out on the water to you.” “Come!” answered Jesus. So Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water to Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he was afraid and started to sink down in the water. “Save me, Lord!” he cried. At once Jesus reached out and grabbed hold of him and said, “How little faith you have! Why did you doubt?” Then the disciples in the boat worshipped Jesus. “Truly you are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.
In a previous article I have written for "Sharing Our Faith Together" I talked about the journey Chris and myself have been taking along the South West Coast Path. This amazing adventure was completed a few weeks ago when we walked our final section of the footpath from Weymouth to Lulworth Cove, enabling us to say that we have walked all of the coast path from Minehead in Somerset to Poole in Dorset - a distance of 630 miles!
The terrain has varied from easy beach side paths to severe cliff top walking in remote areas of the region, but the one constant during the whole of our journey has been that we were never more than a few yards from the ocean. On sunny days the sea looked calm and inviting, but on other occasions in the wind and the rain the sea would roll and large waves would crash against the rocks.
In the scripture above we read about the calm and stormy sea, and Peter being called by Jesus to walk on the water. The disciple did so, but temporarily lost faith and began to sink, so was forced to call on Jesus to rescue him. When we decided to walk the coast path we didn't know how difficult it would be, but we prepared for the walk and set off with faith and trust that we would reach our destination. Just like Peter walking on the water, whatever situations we find ourselves in during our lives it is important that we step forward in faith and trust with Jesus at our side.
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“Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders.
Let me walk upon the waters wherever You would call me.
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander,
and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Saviour.”
Prayer
Dear Lord,
I thank you for the knowledge that whatever situations we find ourselves in during our lives you are there to guide us. Help us to step forward into the unknown with trust and faith that you are by our side.
Amen