My friend Pam and I spoke at a women’s conference in Moose Lake, MN last weekend, about the “waves of adversity” we all face in our lives. I’ll be posting follow-ups for the next couple weeks, so the women who were there (and anyone who wasn’t!) can continue to chew on and discuss the topic. This one is written by my beloved prayer-and-life buddy Pam, who is Associate Pastor at Mahtowa Covenant Church.

Friday night of the Women’s Conference at Moose Lake Covenant Church we looked at the gospel writer, Mark’s account of Jesus walking on the water toward the disciples as they struggled in the storm. I mentioned that the disciples’ were terrified at the sight of Jesus walking on the water because they were so focused on the storm, they were unable to witness the glory of God passing by them. In Matthew’s version of this account, Peter calls out to Jesus, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water” (Matt. 14.22-36). Jesus bids him to come and Peter exits the boat and begins to walk toward Jesus on the waves. It isn’t not too long before Peter’s eyes are taken off of Jesus and his focus becomes consumed with the waves again and begins to sink.

I can’t count the times that I’ve wonder why wouldn’t God just bring peace to the storms around me, so that I can walk out to Jesus without the threat of waves. But Jesus doesn’t calm the storm as Peter walks toward him, he invites Peter to come to him even in the midst of chaos. As Peter’s faith falters and, taking his eyes off Christ, he sees the strong waves and sinks. But it is in Peter’s weakness that he cries out to Jesus to save him and Jesus reaches out and pulls him out of the raging waters.

Some questions to ponder:

Do you have the courage to step out of the boat and step toward Jesus?

Has your gaze shifted from Jesus to the waves around you and you find yourself sinking?–

When Jesus says, “Don’t be afraid…Take courage, I am here!” what is he telling you not to be afraid of?

When the storms come, what is the first thing you begin to doubt?