Eyes Fixed in the Storm

   Have you ever read the Bible and couldn't believe that one of the people would do something so silly or dumb? I think, at times, we are all tempted to do that.
   In Matthew 14:22-33 we read the story about Jesus walking on water. The disciples saw him and thought he was a ghost. When Peter found out it was Jesus, Peter asked Jesus to tell him to come to him. Peter got out of the boat and started walking toward Jesus. Then Peter looked around and saw the storm. When he took his eyes off of Jesus he started to sink. Jesus saved Peter from the storm.  Then they went into the boat and the storm stopped.
   Now, if you were in Peter's position what would you have done? Would you have had the courage to ask Jesus to tell you to come to him? Let's say that you did do that, would you have been able to keep your eyes on Jesus?
   If you are saying yes, I am going to play Devil's advocate here. Have you ever had a time where you felt everything was crashing down in your life and you had no hope? Have you ever had an idol in some way, shape, or form? Have you ever sinned? If you said yes to any of these questions, then you are just like Peter. You may have been able to keep your eyes on Jesus for a little but then some storm came and you took your eyes off of him.
   You may be saying, "how is it possible to keep your eyes on Jesus all the time?" The answer is its not possible; at least, not by our own strength. If you noticed in the story of Peter and Jesus Peter fell into the water but at the same time he did something else. He called out to Jesus to help him. Peter could've kept his mouth closed and tried to stay afloat on his own, but he didn't. He knew he couldn't do it on his own. If he wouldn't have called out for help he may have drowned.
   See, God is a good father. He wants us to learn lessons and grow but he also wants to help us do that. We have freewill. We can choose to ask God for help or we can try to do it on our own. If we do it on our own, we will probably drown in the storms of life. God wants to walk with us and help us but we have to be willing to walk with him.
   So, will you be like Peter and ask for help from God when you need it? Will you choose to walk with God through the storms of life? 

   Image from here.