I knew it was him. I could see him through the sheets of rain, as if he was walking inside a waterfall. The waves crashed around the boat, swirling it like a leaf in a gutter. Yet he kept inching towards us, steady-footed, calm, assured.
Wait. He was on top of the water! A few cried out,”It’s a ghost!”. But, my heart knew it was him. If he was near, all would be alright. Through the whoosh of the wind I heard his voice in my soul. “Come to me.”
Without a second thought, I jumped in the water and rushed towards him.
Oh, my Lord. I was on the surface of the lake as well, my feet barely dampened by the waves. This can’t be. No one can walk on water. It can’t be done. What was I thinking?
The waves lapped my feet. Then my knees. Something jerked me downwards into the frigid lake. Help me, Lord. Help me.
A wave crashed over my head. My mouth filled with muddy water and choked the words I tried to cry out. I floundered, even though my arms and legs pushing against the waves with every ounce of strength I had. The gripping force pulled my legs straight down. My head ducked underwater. My tunic billowed around me then slapped against me like a death shroud. My chest crunched against the pressure. My heart pounded against it like fists on a closed door.I looked up through the water. I was going to die. Lord, don’t let me die.
Then, through the shimmering murkiness appeared a hand. It reached for me. I saw his soft face smiling, beckoning beyond the surface of the lake. I stretched my fingers. They touched his.
Warmed strength surged through me as he grabbed hold and lifted me to His face. His caring eyes smiled into mine. “Believe, my friend, and live.”
(Inspired by Matthew 14:22-32)
Do you feel like you are being pulled under? You don’t have another smidgen of strength to fight it. The pressures of your world push against you, jerking you down into the murky unknown where faith is drowned by anxiety and doubt. You sputter for breath. You may even whisper in a resolved plea, “Okay. I quit. Take me then.”
Stop struggling on your own. Look up. He is there to reach down and lift you out into His loving arms. Stretch to meet his fingers. Believe, and live.
I found God today in this picture – it made me realize once again that if I fix my eyes on Jesus, grab hold of His hand, give Him the control, I will not sink.
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Where Did You Find God Today? 