Christ Will Help You Walk on Water

Character-building difficulty and uncertainty comes for each of us, when it feels as if we are tossed in a boat on a stormy sea, buffeted by waves, with the wind against us.

 And in the encircling gloom, Christ whispers the same words with which he reassured his storm-tossed disciples, “Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid.”

And Peter, the confident risk-taker, says, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” And Jesus says another of his great words, “Come.”

Jesus, the merciful, did not ask Peter to do something that transcended the humanly possible and Peter’s own faith, but since Peter wanted to get to Jesus as quickly as possible, and to do whatever Jesus did, he gives him permission to walk on water.

We sometimes yearn to do things for which we know we don’t have the money, time, abundant gifting, or even the character. Never begin them before you’ve prayed, “Lord, tell me to do it.”

And if he says, “Come,” start tackling the impossibility, immediately.

And Peter walks on water, until he sees the almost visible wind, is afraid, and begins to sink. Fear paralyses, sinks, and destroys.

And Peter prays a powerful prayer, “Lord, save me.” And immediately, Jesus reaches out his hand and catches him, scolding, “Oligopistos. You of little faith. Why did you doubt?”

And the wind dies down, and Peter learns to keep his eyes on Jesus and his power when he attempts the impossible, and to cry out for Jesus’s help when he begins to sink. 

And we, reading their story, two millennia later, learn--take risks, attempt greater things than you have done before, and when, terrified, you begin to sink, immediately reach out for Jesus’ hand, and ask him to save you.

Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me on. Let me stand.

My memoir: Rosaries, Reading, Secrets: A Catholic Childhood in India UK USA

Blog: anitamathias.com

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My book of essays: Wandering Between Two Worlds (US) and UK

Transcript

Grab Christ’s Hand When You are Sinking

 Sometimes, the little boat of your life is tossed in

the darkness, in a storm-swept lake, far from shore,

It’s buffeted by waves, with the wind against it. And a dark

figure looms, walking on water, and you cannot see his face,

and you do not know his name, and you are terrified.

And in the encircling gloom, Christ always speaks the same

magnificent words, “Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid.”

He comes to us in the darkness, a future that looks bleak,

with unsolvable relational difficulties or financial difficulties, or

when intellect, energy, and organisation feel puny, matched with 

our dreams and calling. But it is Christ. Do not be afraid. 

And Peter, the risk-taker, from an overabundance of love and

impulsivity, says, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on

the water.” And Jesus speaks another of his great words, “Come.”

Jesus, the merciful, did not ask Peter to do something that

transcended the humanly possible and Peter’s faith, but

     since Peter wanted to get to Jesus as quickly as possible, and to

     do whatever Jesus did, he gives him permission to walk on water.

      We sometimes yearn to do things for which we know we don’t

      have the money, time, abundant gifting, or even the character.

      Never begin them before you’ve prayed, “Lord, tell me to do it.”

      If he says, “Come,” start tackling the impossibility, immediately.

     And Peter walks on water, until he sees the almost visible wind,

     is afraid, and begins to sink. Fear paralyses, sinks, and destroys.

    And Peter prays a powerful prayer, “Lord, save me.” And

    immediately, Jesus reaches out his hand and catches him,

    scolding, “Oligopistos. You of little faith. Why did you doubt?”

   And the wind dies down, and Peter learns to keep his eyes

   on Jesus and his power when he attempts the impossible,

  and to cry out for Jesus’s help when he begins to sink.

  Help us, Jesus, you who control the wind and waves,

 and all things, when we are sinking in the darkness,

 and all seems impossible. Tell the wind to be quiet.

 Take my hand, precious Lord. Lead me on. Let me stand. Amen.