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!
scheduled cleaning services Winnetka ..1. The name Uriel means "Light of God" or "Flame... Read More
What purpose does keeping a journal serve?Do you write down... Read More
Do you ever get into those moods where you just... Read More
An interesting question that frequently comes up is "Which Gods... Read More
I know eyebrows are probably raising about now, but let... Read More
Michael Shermer speaks with the energy and passion of an... Read More
When we ask ourselves the question who am I in... Read More
"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and... Read More
Action dakini gets everything done. When wanting and grasping hold... Read More
Sometimes we're already free but we don't realize it. We... Read More
Actually I have 'helped' exorcize spirits more than once but... Read More
Paul's encouragement to the Philippians is also our encouragement. Consider... Read More
As we walk along our paths in life, we will... Read More
In one forum, one participant posted this query:I think quite... Read More
We have a proclivity to think of individuals and nations... Read More
I am a big believer in the strength of a... Read More
We all sin. To avoid using the "s" word, we... Read More
???Now is the time for all good men to come... Read More
"Let me tell you why you're here. You're here because... Read More
Several years ago after I presented a workshop entitled "Spirituality... Read More
I cringed lower into the seat of my grey metal... Read More
One of my favorite movies is "The Green Mile". A... Read More
There is light at the end of the tunnel, but... Read More
There are many energy beings available to assist us in... Read More
I don't know of anyone who really liked taking tests... Read More
reliable maid service Lincolnshire ..Sometimes you have to see something to believe it. Like... Read More
(Channelled)The greatest gift you can give me, is to acknowledge... Read More
You can think of your Animal Totems as imaginary guides... Read More
I have discovered as I grow older in Christ Jesus... Read More
The question of life after death is one that continues... Read More
Why do bad things happen to good people? Surely this... Read More
Action dakini gets everything done. When wanting and grasping hold... Read More
The lighter side of Tarot deals with games played using... Read More
Uh, oh. I'm in trouble now. I found God. Now... Read More
The Angelic realms have been very active throughout the human... Read More
I am sure many of you reading this article have... Read More
Over the past few years I have watched the popularity... Read More
I would like to share my experience, working with the... Read More
Five verses specify that we are to live by faith.... Read More
"What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is... Read More
Our church is infested with lobby lizards. They crawl around... Read More
Did you happen to see the made-for-tv movie, "Jesus," that... Read More
Yesterday, a marketing guru asked me a question that left... Read More
Give us today our daily bread. Matthew 6:11 (NIV) We... Read More
Several months ago, I read an... Read More
You will become as great as your dominant aspiration...If you... Read More
Who is the more spiritual person? The woman out on... Read More
It was said that Caesar Augustus one night consulted his... Read More
The human nature means the soul and the body. A... Read More
Getting the most from a Tarot card reading relies on... Read More
Spirituality |