(Jesus had just fed the five thousand) "Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here! ” Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed." (Matthew 14:22-33 NLT)
I love this story. I love the picture it paints of Jesus calmly walking on the water even in the time of a ridiculous storm. God is calling all of us to him, he wants us to step out of the boat and trust him. And if we keep our eyes on the crazy storms around us, we won't walk on the water. I think so many of us are sinking because we are SO focused and SO worried about what's going on around us. We instantly forget who we need to focus our attention on. We don't remember that God's got us right where he needs us to be. And once we get the revelation that we have access to lock eyes with jesus even in the midst of our mess, we will walk on the water and will not sink. For the next year and a half, this blog will serve not only as encouragement for you the reader, but as a documentation of this journey I'm on. This journey of discovering my purpose in life, my purpose for the future, and my purpose in my creator. My identity is found in him, and no raging storm or large waves could distract me for what lies in front of me. Jesus with his arms stretched out towards me telling me to step out, and my future, filled with hope and an amazing plan that I can't even begin to understand.
