Morning, just before the sun peeps over the horizon, I take a walk.
All is quiet and serene.
The wind, wisps through me, as if I am not here…
Holy breath exhaling upon me. They are near…
On seashore pathway, the sand is cool and soft
I look out and see the final twinkling of light, in the distant sky, I hear a seagull cry,
And I know, I, AM not alone!
I walk out into the water, my feet on solid ground as waves gently kiss my toes
In wonder, as step by step I take, I am walking on the water…
There in the distance I see them in the boat, the wind picking up, one of them cries out, “A GHOST!”
I shout back to them, “It is I!”
Bold and brave Peter shouts, “If it’s you Lord, may I come out to you?”
“Come!”
Heart pounding, mind racing, as over the side Peter goes…
“I’m doing it Lord; I’m walking on top of the water!”
A force of wind pushes in on Peter, the waves begin to rise…
And before he realized,
He began to sink. He cries, “Lord Save Me!”
Why do we take our eyes off of Jesus in the crisis?
When we are in the most miraculous, supernatural, experience of our lives we look at the circumstances and we begin to fall…why do we doubt when we’re hit with the unexpected. Fear causes us to put our focus on the storm. It’s then, we need to keep our focus on the Lord more than ever! He’s right there before us, in hands-reach. He has said to us to come. We’ve spoken to him and are even amazed at the miracle before us…but suddenly, the waves and the wind hit us, and we begin to sink…we’re afraid…and cry in desperation…”LORD, SAVE ME!”
Jesus asks, “Why did you doubt?”
Did you not know that I would not let you down? I will not let you die. Have faith, even when the storm is raging. Even when the doctor says, there’s no hope! Even when you are down to your last dollar and you’ve lost your job! Have faith and do not doubt!! I will save you! I have saved you many times…I am always with you and I will never leave you!! Don’t look at the waves. Don’t look at the storm. Keep your eyes on me, for it’s in me, your help will be found. I will take you to safety, the storms will cease and I will give you peace!
Love, Jesus
~Marla Shaw O’Neill August 18, 2020
Matthew 14:25-33 The Passion Translation
25 At about four o’clock in the morning,[a] Jesus came to them, walking on the waves! 26 When the disciples saw him walking on top of the water, they were terrified and screamed, “A ghost!”
27 Then Jesus said, “Be brave and don’t be afraid. I am here!”[b]
28 Peter shouted out, “Lord, if it’s really you, then have me join you on the water!”
29 “Come and join me,”[c] Jesus replied.
So Peter stepped out onto the water and began to walk toward Jesus. 30 But when he realized how high the waves were, he became frightened and started to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he cried out.
31 Jesus immediately stretched out his hand and lifted him up and said, “What little faith you have! Why would you let doubt win?”
32 And the very moment they both stepped into the boat, the raging wind ceased. 33 Then all the disciples crouched down before him and worshiped Jesus.[d] They said in adoration, “You are truly the Son of God!”
Footnotes
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Matthew 14:25 Or “during the fourth watch of the night” (between 3:00 and 6:00 a.m.).
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Matthew 14:27 Or “I AM,” which was the name of God used in Ex. 3:14.
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Matthew 14:29 Or “Go for it!”
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Matthew 14:33 The Greek word used for “worship,” proskuneo, includes three concepts: to bow, to kiss, and to pay homage (worship). All three are included here.
