Just A Little Bit Of Faith

And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Matthew 14:28-31 NKJV

I’ve often read this bit of Scripture and thought, “I want that kind of faith.” I do. I want that crazy, audacious, willing to do whatever, willing to go wherever, mind-boggling, irrational faith. I can’t help but feel like that’s how BIG AWESOME things happen! Think about it, when was the last time you did something worthwhile that didn't require a good bit of effort—like it just happened and all you had to do was go for the ride? It doesn’t happen much (if ever at all). Yet, even thought Peter was crazy enough to STEP out of the boat (encouraged by the presence of Jesus), he wasn’t quite ready to STAY out of the boat (distracted by his surroundings).

Peter had enough faith to step OUT of the boat, but he lacked the faith to stay ON TOP of the water. Peter was all kinds of caught up in the wind and the waves and the idea that he was standing on deep waters that could swallow him up at any moment. He was AFRAID (and that’s okay). We ALL experience fear. We ALL have something or someone that sends shivers down our spine, stirs up a bit of hesitation in our step, causes us to rethink whatever it is we’re about to do or say. Nobody is immune to fear. Nobody.

That’s not too encouraging (unless you like knowing EVERYONE deals with it and it’s not just you), so here’s the encouraging part: Jesus is there in your time of NEED. Peter was sinking. Peter was going to drown (after all, it’s night and there’s a bit of a storm happening). And Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him. I LOVE that! Jesus wasn’t going to let Peter sink—at least not ALL the way. Jesus was right there with Peter the WHOLE TIME. He was within REACH. He was there to CATCH him. He was there to RESCUE him.

You might feel a bit overwhelmed by fear today. You might feel like whatever it is you’re facing is too much to handle (and it might be). Don’t wait until you’re UNDER the water, don’t wait until it’s TOO LATE. Take CHARGE and ask for God’s help RIGHT NOW!

He’s right there beside you ready to catch you before you fall.