Walking on water

Christian life is not just keeping our heads above the water but its walking on water. 

In Mathew 14:22-23, we read about an amazing miracle of how Peter walked on the water. The scriptures tell us that the disciples were on a boat and was "buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it."  There was a great storm. Jesus then appears on the waters and at Peter's request, He beckons Peter to come to him. The rest is history in the making.  Peter becomes the first man, other than Jesus, to walk on the water. Unfortunately most of the time we only emphasis the fact that Peter sank.

Can you imagine, there were waves all around, the wind was strong and buffeting the boat, the other disciples were reeling in fear. But there was one man who took the bold step of faith and was able to conquer all odds. He walked on water, while the others were trying to keep their heads above it. 

That's how our Christian life ought to be. In the midst of every kind of storm, we should be able to walk on the waters, not just struggle to keep our heads dry. "We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus". Jesus said in John 10:10 - "My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." [NLT] . Not just life but abundant life. 

What made Peter to walk on the water? I can see three factors:

  • Foresight.   Peter did not ask the Lord to calm the wind and the waves. I would have thought that would have been the first concern. How do you expect to walk on water if the sea is so boisterous? But after seeing Jesus, the wind and the waves did not seem to bother him. He was more interested in walking on the water than be concerned with the tumultuous situations around him. It is as if Peter was saying, winds and the waves are part of live's journey. One of the main mistakes evangelists today make is  that they tell people that when they come to Jesus all their problems will disappear. Jesus never said that. In fact Jesus said in John 16:33 - "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." You and I need the foresight to accept the fact that trials and temptations are part of this world in which we live in. But that does not mean that we dwell in them. We can still walk on the water even though the others get drowned by it. That's the difference between a christian and the rest.

  • Faith.   It took Peter a bold step of faith to put his right foot forward. Peter had faith on the words of Jesus. It only mattered what Jesus said. The circumstances are secondary. What he thought an what others thought were immaterial  Does not matter how terrible the situations are. As long as Jesus had said it, he was willing to put his life on it. In life's storm, Jesus had promised to  " never leave us or forsake us". The Bible has so many scriptures to assure us that God will be with us in all situations. The question is, are we willing to put our faith and trust on God's word.   If we can trust God's Word, that is the first step in walking on water. 

  • Focus.   Peter walked on water because he kept his focus on Jesus. The sinking began when the focus was shifted from Jesus to the surroundings. But as long as Peter had his eyes on Jesus, he was able to walk on water. In life, as we know, there are so many things to distract us. Our family  our career, our friends and the list goes on.  The secret to keeping walking over all these circumstances is to keep our focus in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul was another great example. In spite of his chains, the imprisonments  the beating and the sufferings, he was still able to rejoice and encourage others to do so because his focus was Christ. That is why he was able to say in Phi 3:8 - "What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things."

You can walk above your circumstances. You can live the abundant Christian life. Keep your faith and focus on the Lord Jesus Christ. Everything else appear small.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

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