We can easily think that being a Christian means that our lives will be easier, with fewer problems. But God says problems will come to us all, but the true miracle is that He will be right beside us, reaching out when we struggle. God’s reach may come in a different way and at a different time than we expect, but Matthew 14:22-33 shows us that God will, without a doubt, pull us out of all deep waters. While God pulls Peter out of the waters in this passage, we learn quickly about courage, failure, and our Savior.

Courage

Peter teaches us how to be brave and courageous. Everyone else was fearful and thought Jesus was a ghost, but as soon as Jesus spoke, Peter was the one to speak up for the group to determine whether it truly was Jesus. While it may have felt a little like a testing Jesus moment, Peter tells Jesus to tell him to come out on the water if it is truly Jesus. After Jesus answered with two seemingly short words, “Yes, come,” Peter started walking across the water to Jesus. We know there were ‘heavy waves’ and the Sea of Galilee’s location between warm lake and cool mountain temperatures creates storms that often come on suddenly. Needless to say, Peter was walking on some pretty choppy waters here, but his courage and faith in Jesus were strong from the start. Stepping out in faith, literally, is the first thing we can learn from Peter, and he was able to take that first step on water because of the bravery that God gave him. This first part of the passage also teaches us that choppy, stormy waters will appear in our own lives, and they may arise suddenly. When storms, problems, and difficulties arise in our lives, we are not to sit in the boat and accept our fate; we are called out into the deep waters, to have faith that we can walk on water towards Jesus.

Failure

When Peter takes his eyes off Jesus, he begins to sink, both literally and metaphorically. Peter’s focus shifts from his faith in Jesus to the waves and world around him. Peter becomes terrified at this point, which anyone would be if they found themselves drowning in a stormy sea. We have a choice where to focus our eyes and mind, just as Peter did. We can either choose to look at the choppy waters, scary diagnosis, financial struggles, and relationship problems, and we will slowly (or quickly) sink. Of course, as with most decisions, we can choose the opposite and turn our eyes to Jesus. We can talk to Jesus and God at any time through prayer. We can learn the character of God through reading His Word in the Bible. Ultimately, we can strengthen our relationship with God by recognizing the miracles all around us. This isn’t to say to be oblivious to problems around you, but your focus and mindset may need shifting just as Peter’s focus shifts next.

Savior

Right after Peter began to sink, he called out ‘Save me, Lord’ (Matthew 14: 30). Translations say Peter shouted while others say he cried out, but he was definitely in desperate need of rescuing at that point. ‘Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him (Matthew 14:31). Immediately, no hesitation, not a moment to let Peter try it on his own. Jesus reached out to Peter immediately after he called on Jesus. When we need help, who do we call first? Is it a trusted family member or friend? Or is it God? I know my answer is not always God. Honestly, sometimes I focus on myself, thinking I can save myself (I could not be further from the truth). I strive to be more like Peter myself. The next time I am in deep waters and my focus wavers to the problems surrounding me, I want to cry out to God first and shout ‘Save me!’

Love Takes Risks

As I read “Love Does” by Bob Goff, I am realizing the word ‘love’ is an action word, a verb. Love takes risks. When Peter stepped out onto that stormy water, he did not know what would happen; he wasn’t even fully sure the man on the water was Jesus. Something in Peter told him to call out to the man. Something in Peter told him to question the man to see if he was Jesus. That something that tells us to step out and take risks in love is the Holy Spirit living inside us. Invite the Holy Spirit into your heart today, in this moment, and every day to help take the risk of stepping out of the boat through the love of Jesus to get through any and all stormy seas with God. You don’t have to paddle alone to keep your head above water. Call out to your Savior, Jesus Christ, and He will immediately reach out for you.

More on Love in Action

Courage Failure Savior: A Short Poem

Love Shows Up: Devo

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With faith,
Melanie Drews
Paws on God’s Path