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!
tidy up service Glenview ..Love is mentioned well over 350 times in the Bible.... Read More
If anyone says that his/her religion is the only path... Read More
Healing is a special gift that any human being can... Read More
There is an old tradition song called, The Lighthouse and... Read More
Perhaps one of the most wonderful assertions that can be... Read More
We may sometimes consider the difficulty that occurs with our... Read More
I cringed lower into the seat of my grey metal... Read More
Recently, I received a frantic midnight call from one of... Read More
"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure,... Read More
You know that the Bible tells us a lot about... Read More
Someone asked me the other day what was the most... Read More
The more we worry about money, and who's asking for... Read More
All Shamans have several power songs because the vibration of... Read More
1. Identify a woman who is "like minded," who has... Read More
THE KABBALAH OF PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION: TURNING DARKNESS INTO LIGHT"In the... Read More
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me,... Read More
Anyone who has invested time, energy and effort into finding... Read More
Last Saturday, the children were down at their grandparent's house... Read More
Ever notice how people dread discussing... Read More
As Mother's day is upon us, Iam moved to express... Read More
I was walking down the street the other day, walking... Read More
The Evil Eye has been around since the beginning of... Read More
In Corrogue it is frosty.The ramp into our "acre of... Read More
I am a big believer in the strength of a... Read More
In a recent article entitled "Some Evidence of How We... Read More
maid service near Winnetka ..I said something last week I haven't said in years.... Read More
When King David was old and well advanced in years?... Read More
As human beings it is inherent to want to self-actualize... Read More
We may sometimes consider the difficulty that occurs with our... Read More
Did you happen to see the made-for-tv movie, "Jesus," that... Read More
The gate of every year is the begining of that... Read More
WHAT IS E.V.P.?EVP stands for electronic voice phenomena, some believe... Read More
In His graciousness, God has blessed us to enter a... Read More
"He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written... Read More
I'm weary of saying No to my children. Not just... Read More
With another year full of family events coming upon us,... Read More
Every month I usually sit down and write an article... Read More
The story of Cain and Abel stands very close to... Read More
It's not always easy to stand in the midst of... Read More
Greetings Divine Ones, I am going to ask you a... Read More
"I learned I was not, as most Africans believed, the... Read More
If you were Satan and your goal is to destroy... Read More
One does not have to live long to realize that... Read More
Eden, the garden of ecstasy is no longer available to... Read More
On January 13th 1982 an Air Florida flight crashed off... Read More
I often ask myself this question. Not in the times... Read More
The "Left Behind" series is inspiring, in that it makes... Read More
Recently, I received a postcard from Ireland. Without reading the... Read More
One of the "loopholes" in my philosophical belief system when... Read More
Freedom....The cherished goal of humanity throughout its history.No society has... Read More
Spirituality |