The wind howls, reminiscent of an displeased cat.
The waves lap hungrily at the side of the boat.
His mind wanders, traversing multiple paths at once.
He sits among the others, steering, thinking, watching. The forceful wind has pushed their boat far from land, as if its weight were of no consequence. What will become of the One they left behind? He said to go, but should they have insisted no? How will He reach the other side - would He walk or find a ride? The man's mind begins to feel the weight of the day and of the wonders he has seen.
With a jolt like a lightning bolt, a voice cries out in terror, pulling him back into the here and now. A figure glides toward them, the sleep in his eyes causing it to look like a blur of white, bright as sunlight swallowing the darkness over the water on which it seems to tread. A demon, a ghost, an angelic being?! His mind is slow to grasp the reality of what he is seeing, but then he hears . . . he hears a voice.
That voice. It is one overflowing with authority yet laden with humility, bursting with power yet abounding in tenderness. It has blessed, it has comforted, it has healed. It has prayed and it has taught how to pray. It both chastises and encourages. The man knows this voice. What was it saying . . .?
"Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
It is Him. The Lamb, the Son of God, Son of Man . . . I Am.
Don't be afraid.
Don't be afraid . . .
Before he knew what was happening, words were traveling. From his mind they were flowing, to his voice they were connecting, out of his mouth they were trajecting . . . "Lord!"
WHAT was he saying? . . . WHY was he saying it? . . . From WHERE was this coming?
"If it is you, tell me to come to you on the water."
Without a pause he heard the response . . . "Come."
His feet and legs immediately went into action. It was not his intention, but it was occurring without thought or hesitation. He sat on the side of the boat and wondered for a split second if, like it, he too would float. Or walk? Or sink? He was about to step over a chasm of unknown, with a bridge of faith alone to suspend him - no wood, no rope, no stone. He fixed his eyes on his Master. This could become a miracle or a disaster. Then, without further ado he pressed one foot, then two, onto the shifting liquid floor and he stood. His gaze didn't waver as he took each step toward the man he loved and admired, his complete faith was all that was required to do what seemed impossible. But then it did waver. The fear rose up inside like the water that was about to rise over his being, churning and engulfing him. It was no longer the Savior he was seeing but the impossibility of what was happening. Sinking, defeated, helpless he cried, "Lord, save me!"
"Oh ye of little faith, why did you doubt?" said Christ, his eyes swirled with sorrow and exhaustion.
Why HAD he taken his eyes off the Lord?Why had he looked away?
These thoughts trolled through his mind as he walked to the boat, chagrined, but with the Lord at his side. As he stepped in, he looked back at the water that had just turned what he thought was rock faith into dust. All this in a matter of seconds but what had felt like eternity.
Where is your faith?
Is it in yourself? Is it in those around you? The police officer down the street? The car you drive? The house in which you live? The number on your bank account?
Where is your gaze? Your focus?
Do you have it fixed upon the only One who can help you walk over the turbulent waters of life? Or have you cast down your eyes instead of your idols? Have you shifted gaze instead of shifting your mindset? Have you lost focus on Him instead of losing the burden of this world? Are you sinking? Are the waters overtaking you, engulfing you, mind, body, and soul? Hold on, don't lose hope. Have faith.
Fix your eyes on Him and merely cry out, "Lord . . . save me."
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you . . . . ~Isaiah 43:2
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