So today’s Gospel gives us the story of Jesus walking on water and how Peter had the courage to get out of the boat and walk on water, too–until he stopped trusting Jesus.
Peter’s initial success and then subsequent failure prompted me to reflect today upon the many times that I have done the same thing in my own life.
Where I am going along just fine, but then I get distracted by the storm or the waves or the leaky boat or the people around me, and I doubt. And then I become frightened by the prospect of what could happen and I stop trusting.
I stop trusting the One who knows when I sleep and when I stand. Who knew me before He formed me in my mother’s womb. Who knows the plans He has for me. Plans for a future and a hope. A life of peace and of purpose and of abundance.
And when I really reflect on when I stop trusting, it’s totally silly because usually my lack of trust has nothing to do with anything that has actually happened or is happening, but rather is all about my fear(s) of what could happen.
But the real problem is the same one Peter had, I take my eyes off of Jesus.
It has taken me years to figure this out, but when I am looking at Him, nothing else matters. Not the wind, the storm, the leaky boat, or my fellow companions.
Jesus is enough. If I just remember to keep my eyes on Him.
So why do YOU stop trusting?
If you’re anything like me (or Peter), there’s probably a simple fix.
Just keep your eyes on Him. And trust.
