Come on in, the Water's Fine.

Have you ever noticed that our perspective of a situation can change how we feel about it? Let’s continue looking at Peter (and maybe a little of ourselves through him) as he meets Jesus out on that water. (Matthew 14: 22-33)

There he was on that boat, up above the water, looking out. His footing was secure. He held the safety of knowing what lurked beneath him – bunk beds. Those waves looked small, the wind felt gentle. And he had a direct view of Jesus over the water. Then he jumped.

I imagine his perspective changed.

Suddenly there was water under him rather than solid wood. I can almost hear the theme to Jaw’s playing in the background as shadows swam beneath him. Waves now crashed around and over him, sometimes stealing his view of Jesus and the wind felt violent. Hmmm…a little harder to hold onto that faith now, isn’t it? It was. And he sank.

But what hadn’t changed?

Jesus.

He was still in the same exact spot as when he called.

And he’s asking, “Why did you doubt?”

You see, we all do this. We get up the courage to finally jump, and somewhere in there we convince ourselves that will be the hardest part. Jesus will catch us and we’ll skip away into the place he’s beckoned us to. We don’t think about the water we’ll land in. We are so focused on him, we jump.

Then something tickles our feet and we look down – taking our eyes off of him. Or we see a fin rise through the water and wonder if it’s coming our way; we look – taking our eyes off of him. Maybe the wind picks up and a large wave rolls by, and we focus in on it – taking our eyes off of him. Suddenly, jumping into this vast place doesn’t seem the smartest thing. Our faith slips, and we sink.

But Jesus never moved. And, yet, with our focus off of him our perspective has changed, and we suddenly doubt.

Put your eyes back on him. Grab a hold of your faith. That same faith we needed to jump, we need even more once we’re in the water. You see, if God is calling you to something, satan is going to try and get in the way – especially if you have the faith to go for it. He’ll bring distractions, he’ll try to obscure your focus…don’t let him! Jesus has not moved! He is still in the same place he was when he called you. And he is bigger than anything satan can throw at you.

So let God handle it. Let him slay the sharks and calm the waters. Your job is only to keep your eyes on him. You’ll stay afloat, just keep your faith and keep doing what he’s called you to.

Come on in. The water is fine. You’re Father - your life guard - has it all under control.