Guys, I've got a confession. I'm sinking. You know the image of the duck looking cool as a cucumber above water and feet paddling rapidly under water. Well, that's not me. My head is underwater... as I am sinking...
Today at church we were singing the Hillsong worship song, Oceans and the line 'take me deeper than my feet could ever wander and my faith would be made stronger in the presence of my Saviour' resonated within me.
This song always reminds me of when Peter walked on water. All the disciples are out on their boats, when in the distance they see a misty figure above the water. Thinking they see a ghost, they begin to grasp their oars and the sides of their boats. As the silhouette gets closer, they realise its Jesus, walking on the water towards them! Peter immediately cries out, 'Lord if it is you, tell me to come!' Then there's a moment of silence before a voice replies, 'Come.'
'He's mad,' someone whispers. Peter grabs the side of the boat and lifts his leg over the side. Keeping his eyes on Jesus, he brings his other leg over the side until he's standing on the water! His first step is shaky but by time he gets to his fifth step, his steps are sure and secure. Suddenly, the wind blows and catches him off guard. His feet suddenly plunge through the water and he becomes fully submerged! A hand shoots into the water after him and grabs Peter, pulling him to safety.
Peter stepped out, but soon found himself sinking. Did he make a mistake? Should he have just stayed where he was? Didn't he know this was beyond his capabilities? Well... no, no and yes. Peter didn't make a mistake, it was good he stepped out and this was beyond his capabilities.
But imagine the conversations he can have now. 'Well, Jesus told me to come and I began to walk on water'. He did something that he had never done before and although he began to sink, his faith was stronger.
Think about when you go to the gym, you don't train with light weights. You train with heavier weights to make you stronger. When we step out, beyond where we are, our faith is being made stronger.
Some years ago now, my husband and I were trying to buy a house. We were on a tight time schedule as we were both living with our parents and needed a place to live in after we got married. It came with many obstacles, and many times I found myself sinking. But a hand always came into the water after me. Nine months after our house buying journey began, we had bought a house. It was ready for us to move into right after our wedding! I know in that situation my faith was made stronger. Now when I'm facing situations, I face them with more confidence.
So now, I'm sinking. I've stepped out and suddenly found myself fully submerged under water. But I know His hand will save me. I also know that in this, my faith is being strengthened and the next time I step out and walk on water, I will walk further. And at some point I'll sink... and then walk again. So step out, walk, sink and walk again!!
