Sink or Float
As I sit and look out over the lake watching the ripples and listening to them slap against the bank, I try to visualize Jesus walking across the lake. I watch the boats filled with people come in and out from the landing, but never sinking. A little black duck, all alone, is floating among the reeds. It doesn’t sink.
The boats and ships float, the ducks float, Jesus - you might say - floated on his feet. Peter did for a few moments too. Then I began to wonder - why do we sink? Actually my son had a friend that when she did the back float in the pool, she looked like she was lying on top of a board - she was that buoyant. It amazed all of us to watch her.
When it comes to life, why do some seem like they are floating on top of the waves unbothered by the turmoil below? And others seem to sink into the water and are absorbed by the circumstances around them?
Jesus said I’ll walk to the other side - on the straight path, straight across the lake - ignoring the ripples beneath his feet, lapping at his heels as if to call him down with them. He seemed oblivious to or not caring about the brewing storm that was about to surround him.
Another time Jesus was in the boat with his disciples:
Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. (Matt 8:23-27)
What an awesome display of his authority and power to rule over the laws of creation. It was prophesied of Jesus: "You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them" (Psalm 89:9).
Was He demonstrating to us our potential to defy the physical realm we live in even though we are still housed in a physical body? God spoke and it was so. Jesus spoke and it was so. We are made in their image and likeness. We are taught to speak to the mountains, which represent our problems. What we believe in our hearts and speak with our mouth will also be so. So be careful what you say and be careful what you believe.
Let’s look again at the time Jesus walked on water (Mat. 14:22-23). Look at how Peter reacted. He figured if Jesus could do it, he could too. And he did. He trusted Jesus. But what happened? Peter started looking at what was going on around him. He felt the wind and saw the waves. Then he probably thought - I’m not supposed to be able to do this. The result of his thoughts – he started sinking. But Jesus came to his rescue.
When Peter actually walked on the water too, I think Jesus wanted us to know that we have more control over our situations then we think we do. When the winds and waves calmed down, it shows us that if we trust God instead of worrying about what’s going on around us, he’ll be there to help us.
Taken from: Wash Away the Worries
By Nancy L. Harry
www.e-eaglesrest.com
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