Faith Forum By Gloria Wessner - Walking on Water - #100

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Do you ever feel like you're trying to walk on water? It represents that thin line between being above it and making it, or, looking down you start to slowly sink and feel you'll never make it. If you keep your eyes focused ahead, you feel you just might make it. If you let your eyes focus on the depths (our problems), you can become faint hearted and start to sink with fear. Most of us can relate to having experienced this.
Peter, a close of friend of Jesus, experienced this sinking feeling for real. His story:
“Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.
Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o'clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It's a ghost!”
But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don't be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”
Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it's really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
“Yes, come,” Jesus said.
So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.” (Matthew 14:22-33 NLT)
The difference between knowing Jesus in a personal relationship and not knowing him in this way is what made the difference that Peter was able to do. As he's sinking, Jesus immediately reaches out to him, grabs him, and pulls him to safety. When we don't know him in a personal way, Jesus doesn't have our permission to help and we're on our own. He never imposes himself on anyone – that's because he's given us free choice whether we choose to follow him or not.
For myself, I've given him that permission because I chose to put my life in his hands in a deliberate decision, wherever he chooses to take it. But then, there's no other place I'd rather be then holding on to his hand, just as Peter did.
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.” (John 10:27-29 NIV)
I can't think of a safer place to be. How about you?

Readers are invited to write Gloria at: gloriawes@hotmail.com.