Surf's Up

Our lives are full of distractions.  Every minute of every day of every month of every year there are dozens of events, people, things, etc. that can distract us from that which is most important in our life... our relationship with our Saviour, Jesus the Messiah.  The disciples, those who were closest to Christ, who saw Him on a daily basis, struggled with the very same thing.

One day Christ needed to Speak with His Heavenly Father, and he told his disciples to meet him on the other side of the sea.  The story goes something like this:

After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, ²⁴ and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

 ²⁵ Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

Stopping there for a moment.  Our lives are full of big waves that buffet (to strike/thrash) us.  The disciples experienced this in a very literal way, but we all know we struggle with things that frustrate, confound, and disappoint us.  This story shows the very human side of the disciples.  First we see them in a very scary situation, they are likely not calm at this point... but when Jesus shows up, they don't rejoice.  These are the men closest to Him.  They've seen him perform miracle after miracle, and suddenly, when they need Him most they get scared because they seem him working a miracle in the midst of their turmoil.

 ²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

 ²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

   ²⁹ “Come,” he said.

   Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Again, pausing for a moment.  Peter made a great choice here, to give up the false safety of the boat and run to his God.  But, he's distracted isn't he.   He sees the storm all around him.  The wind and the waves are thrashing about, and he takes his eyes off Jesus.  We do this daily.  We try to do the right thing by running to God when bad things happen, yet we are quickly distracted once again.  It's incredibly challenging to keep focused on God, even in the midst of miracles.  But, God is full of Forgiveness and Love and Patience.  Jesus portrays this when Peter messed up.

 ³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,”he said, “why did you doubt?”

 ³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.    -Matthew 14

It's not easy to live a life of faithfulness, especially during tough times.  However, there will be tough times, Jesus promised us times of difficulty... but he also promises hope:

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.   -John 16:33 

What a beautiful promise.  So, even when things get unbelievably hard.  When the waves are crashing down on you.  Don't look away from your Saviour, don't be distracted by the world's troubles.  Keep your eyes on Him.