Peter is a man after my own heart. I feel a certain bond with him. Perhaps, it is because he reminds me of myself at times and my friends and family at other times. Or it could be that I see Peter in all of us as we walk the Christian path and strive to serve Christ obediently, and yet, possessing shortcomings that can become our own stumbling stones.
We commend Peter for attempting what we might consider the impossible. Water, after all, is not cement or paved road. But he did actually walk for a certain space across the turbulent waters. How was he able to do this? It was simply that he had his eyes on Jesus, the symbol of victory, approaching through the storm. Faith identified him with Christ and endowed him with divine power. It is an example of faith in action, for it brings life into harmony with the creative will. Such faith is the victory that overcomes the world. In that moment of utter and complete identification with Christ, Peter achieved the impossible.
But, when he took his focus off Jesus; when he began to focus on the storm, he began to sink. How sad to fail after having started successfully. This scenario mimics our own does it not? So often we begin well but become distracted by negative forces. We allow our fears and unbelief; our overconfidence and feigned self-sufficiency to capture us and bind us in the psychological tomb of defeat. Peter recovered and so can we. He readjusted his eye focus. Once rid of his self-assertiveness and self-sufficiency, and acknowledging his need, his danger, his weakness and his folly, he looked at Jesus and cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus saw him and immediately lifted him up. It was not Peter's faith, but his faith in Christ Jesus that saved him. When he called, Jesus responded.
Our Lord told us to ask and we will receive and to knock and the door would be opened for us. Because the winds of temptations are so strong, we must ask God for the victory that only He can give. We call upon Him to help us to keep our vision clearly on our Savior and our hearts attuned to His holy word.
By faith we live in Him and enjoy His true victory.
Scriptural Reference: Matthew 14:30.
Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, veteran social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach which can be reviewed on her site. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: My Grief Management Workbook, is expected to be available soon.
You are welcome to visit amen ministries: your soul's service station for spiritual refreshing, soul edification, browse our newly expanded mini shopping mall or review our recommended books you may want to add to your personal library.
Blessings to all!
best cleaning company Highland Park ..Did you ever get a feeling or gain notion of... Read More
As I sat down today to write this article, I... Read More
I have discovered as I grow older in Christ Jesus... Read More
With excitement and anticipation I jumped on a plane last... Read More
Ok, let's start with the amazing story of Robbie and... Read More
Matthew 3:1-3 The Preaching of John the Baptist1 In those... Read More
Mormons like to give testimonies. Unlike Mormon testimonies, I will... Read More
Among some of us who deem ourselves spiritual, the use... Read More
Come on now!? Really? This is going too far, you... Read More
Oceans... There's water in 'em! :-)It may seem a bit... Read More
"...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I... Read More
It is no doubt that so many of you are... Read More
"It's a big challenge. It's a journey into the unknown.... Read More
The passenger had to be carried onto the plane and... Read More
In Feng Shui, water symbolizes wealth. The word "fish" in... Read More
When the body of Christ isn't protected we become vulnerable... Read More
Christianity: White man's religion?Martin Luther King referred to Sunday as... Read More
It was said that Caesar Augustus one night consulted his... Read More
Rose Ann Schwab is an internationally and world renowned professional... Read More
The deeper beauty of spring is its process. In winter's... Read More
Uh, oh. I'm in trouble now. I found God. Now... Read More
The possibility of almost 400 Old Testament prophesies coming to... Read More
Each time our children graduate from one stage to another... Read More
Last Saturday, the children were down at their grandparent's house... Read More
In Habakkuk, the prophet cries out in a lament complaint... Read More
high-end home cleaning Winnetka ..It's strange how my life today looks wildly different from... Read More
Why do bad things happen to good people? Surely this... Read More
There was this TV commercial a couple of years back... Read More
I know eyebrows are probably raising about now, but let... Read More
A few men and women are universally successful but such... Read More
As Christian's we are often very independent. We try to... Read More
The contrast between the two men could not have been... Read More
Irish myth has the power to transform your life into... Read More
Not going to church has the advantage of having free... Read More
Matthew 3:1-3 The Preaching of John the Baptist1 In those... Read More
Come on now!? Really? This is going too far, you... Read More
INTRODUCTIONSpiritual affirmations are positive, statements of intention, that facilitate manifestation.... Read More
I know God will not give me anything I can't... Read More
The chakras are different coloured energy centres that originate from... Read More
The second verse of Amy Grant's song, "Angels Watching Over... Read More
During my childhood days, I disliked Lenten season because radio... Read More
At the start of your dream journey, one of the... Read More
I heard recently on a Christian radio station somebody talking... Read More
1. Raphael means "God heals." Raphael heals physical, emotional and... Read More
We come into this world alone, we experience physical life... Read More
What is success? It probably means different things to different... Read More
Jack Nicholson (Col. Jessup) (marine cornel) YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE... Read More
The earth is wrapped in a thin, loose shell of... Read More
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ... Read More
As we go through life we all have to deal... Read More
Spirituality |