25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said.
I think most people who are experiencing any kind of fear automatically think that’s a bad thing. That it’s a sign of weakness or maybe even a lack of faith. I don’t believe that. In fact, I believe that
Anything God leads you to do will initially involve some level of fear.
A lot of us grew up with this idea that if you were obedient to Jesus, everything was going to be great. If you were obedient to Jesus, you’re not going to have to go through storms because Jesus would never do that to you. But look at this story. Who sends the disciples into the storm? Who allows them to float right into the midst of a really scary situation? Jesus does, right? The reality is that Jesus will sometimes willingly allow you to walk into a storm, because it’s in the midst of the storm that He gets our full attention.
The disciples would have to learn—as do we—that obedience is no guarantee of being spared adversity.
But now that the storm had their full attention, Jesus decided it was time the disciples got to know him a little better and that often happens when we’re forced to lean into him.
Is it possible that maybe you’re exactly where God wants you to be right now? Is it possible that God might want to use this situation or this circumstance to teach you something knew about Him? Lean into your circumstances and seek God's purpose through the storm; take courage, and don't be afraid.
-Pete
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