Even on the Stormiest Nights

And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus (Matthew 14: 28-29).

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Lord, bid me to come. Isn't that what we all pray, as Christians. Our hearts cry to be used of Him, to be near him, to experience the adventure of life on the edge with Him? Peter watch from the ship as the waves beat against the vessel. Howling winds made their threats. Fearlessly he inquired of a miracle, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come. Jesus was in the waves.

Can't we see that now. Jesus in the storm. Jesus working behind the scenes of poverty, of social injustices, of   abandoned orphans, of substance abuse, of broken marriages, and of shattered homes. We fearlessly make our plea, Lord, bid me come- I'll follow- Use me. These are noble, heartfelt cries, falling at the feet of Jesus.  He hears. He replies, Come.

But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me (Matthew 14: 30).

We've been there, haven't we?

After fearlessly leaving the boat, eyes on Jesus, we suddenly lose our cool. Being afraid, we start to sink. We're in Kingdom work. Our hearts are on fire with the Gospel, and the plight of the broken. Yet, we take our eyes of Jesus. It becomes about us; it becomes too hard; it becomes a "job"; it becomes frustrating; it becomes a task to scary or it becomes           . We lose sight of the mission- the heart of our causes.

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt (Matthew 14:30).

It happens folks. Fear. Spiritual attack. Doubt. But Jesus...is there any other name by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12)?...At that name the world stands still. Waves obey. Let's get back to the basics.

January will be a new start for me. An exciting, scary, and sometimes paralyzing adventure. I could hide in fear. Believe me, I have it in me to do just that. But Jesus stretches out his hand for me, just like he did for Peter. Doing God-size things for His Kingdom is scary. Always. Let Him calm those storms of your heart. Step out of the boat, and keep walking. Don't take your eyes of the power of that sweet name and the person behind it. Let's be brave. In faith.

And all God's children said..."Amen".