He said, “Come ahead.” Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. Matthew 14:29 (MSG)
Jumping Out – Faith Leap Series – Part 3
Go to PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3
OBSERVATION AND REFLECTION
I can imagine that the night Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on water to meet Jesus in the middle of the lake, would have been permanently imprinted on his heart and mind.
I wonder how he felt about it?
Did he catch himself laughing in disbelief every time he remembered throwing his legs over the wooden boat to find the water holding him up as if it where dry land?
Did he involuntarily wince and shake at the memory of sinking surrounded by waves and water and darkness somewhere in between the boat and his Rabbi?
Or did a tear fill his eye to the brim when he remembered his tender rescue? Knowing that despite his momentary slip beneath the waves, he had indeed left the safety of the boat, and walked on the water toward a man, a mystic, savior, God, who believed in him regardless?
I mentioned (in the last two devotions – Part 1 and Part 2) that a season in my life had ended, and I was having a hard time letting it go. Not in a good way: it wasn’t hard to say goodbye because the season was fantastic. Ha!
I’d jump on Instagram and see photo’s, or talk to friends and hear stories… there were painful reminders of my failures, of my rejection, of a life that didn’t go anywhere near close to where I thought it would, everywhere. It was hard to say goodbye because my identity was completely wrapped up in all that happened to me, especially towards the end of that season.
When you’re having difficulty with something emotionally or spiritually, physically doing something to help show your body, mind, and heart where you are at, can be helpful.
Rituals.
That’s what communion and baptism and grace and many other rituals you might be aware of, are. A symbolic physical action to augment an inner transformation, movement, and/or transition.
So the day that I watched the kids jumping off the rock into the ocean, I had gone to my local beach (Soldiers #NHTYD) to perform my own sacred, personal ritual of letting go.
There was so much wrapped up at that moment for me.
– insecurities
– disappointments
– pain
– joy
– successes of times gone by
– memories
– aspirations
– plans
– dreams
– hopes
I had to bury what had died within me before they rotted my soul.
As I stood at the water's edge hurtling stones into the swirling ocean, I thought of Peter jumping out of his boat, out of the confines of his past, his rejections and failures, his position and title, and heck, even his human limitations, leaving it all behind in search of something more. Something beyond his grasp.
A leap of faith.
And he walked on water.
Yeah, he may have sunk a little. But gosh, HE WALKED ON WATER.
And then, he was pulled above the waves by the Divine incarnate, Jesus.
I want to jump over the edge of my proverbial boat, wondering whether it’s a ghost or Jesus who beckons me on.
I want to walk on water, even if it means I run the risk of getting in over my head and sinking.
I get the feeling that even in the sinking, I’ll be found in the arms of grace.
“Disturb us Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wider seas
Where storms will show your mastery;
Where in losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.”
– Sir Francis Drake (1540 – 1596).
Do you want to walk on water? In what ways? Leave us your comments below
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