Love Lifted Me
One of the high lights of my recent trip to Jordan was the opportunity to see the Sea of Galilee. Although I was only able to view it from a distance, I was overwhelmed with a sense of knowing that Jesus had actually been working and ministering in that area. I began thinking of the miracles of Jesus that took place near the Sea of Galilee.
One miracle that I could not help but remember is recorded in Matthew 14:22-33. It was the miracle of Jesus walking on the water. The Bible tells us, “in the fourth watch of the night he (Jesus) came to them, walking on the sea” (Matthew 14:25). Of course the disciples thought they were seeing a ghost and they were afraid, after all, no one can walk on the water. But Jesus told them not to be afraid. Peter, wanting to make certain it was Jesus said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water” (Matthew 14:28). Jesus told Peter to “Come,” and Peter stepped out of the boat and onto the water and in fact began walking on the water, but when he saw the wind he was frightened and began to sink and cried out, “Lord, save me.” The Bible says, “Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him” (Matthew 14:28-32).
This story teaches us many lessons. One of which is that we must keep our focus on Jesus. Peter was actually walking on the water as long as his focus was on Jesus. However, once he began looking at the circumstances around him, he began to sink. Our walk with the Lord is a walk of faith requiring us to see beyond our present circumstances and to trust in Jesus. When we take our eyes off of Jesus, we, like Peter begin to sink. Unfortunately, many are sinking without realizing it. Many things in our lives clamor for our attention and before we know it our focus has shifted and in our walk with the Lord we begin sinking. Our prayer life, our Bible study, our church attendance, our giving all begin gradually loosing priority resulting in a sinking relationship with Jesus.
If you find yourself sinking, follow Peter’s example and cry out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus will do for you what he did for Peter; he will immediately reach out and pick you up. The old hymn says, “when nothing else could help, love lifted me.” Jesus loves you and he is ready to help lift you up!
God bless,
Pastor Gary
