Faith Forum by Gloria Wessner - Empty Hands

(Grassroots Page 11)

Recently I attended an African children's choir concert with my daughter. My heart was full as I listened to the various stories of these precious orphans. One story included a young man who had been coerced into serving as a child soldier and as he put it, he had done some 'horrific things.' Many of these children came from a life of begging in the streets because they no longer had parents as they had died of aids, or they had been abandoned by parents. They dramatized what it was like to beg in the streets with outstretched hands and making eating motions with those hands to their mouth. The children then shared how someone from the children's village (where the choir comes from), came alongside them and took them to live with a new 'family', attend school and have a future; thus giving them hope.
When we meet God with outstretched, empty hands, then He meets us where  we really are. We may not be orphans, but at some point in our lives we will hit a wall in one way or another. If we are willing and our hearts are open, God will meet us in that need, provide us with a new 'family' to be with (of which he is the father), and a future of living with him and for him.
One of Jesus' really good friends, Peter, hit this wall, and ended up stretching out his hands to God's son for immediate help. The story from God's word is as follows:
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)
In the end, just like Peter, we will acknowledge God and worship him for who he really is - the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and, we have the best Friend to walk through life with, forever.