12 of 12

As much as I like to believe that I, like Peter, would get out of the boat and walk on water with Jesus, statistically, there is only an 8% chance that I would.

I’d like that to change! Not just for me, for all of us.

Let’s read Matthew 14:22-33

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Out of 12 disciples, presumably, that day in the boat, only one called back to Jesus and then rsvp’d to his invitation, “Come.” I want to be that one. But, also, I want that one to be you. Even more, I want it to be all of us. If I understand this passage correctly, it is about keeping our eyes on Jesus regardless of fear. This is about a no-doubt faith. This is about drawing close to and moving with Jesus.

I’m finding the parallel between the disciples’ lives in the Bible and our lives as disciples today to be awfully close. They always have been. For the Church today, we are expecting Jesus to come in the same way the disciples were looking for the Messiah. There is a cry right now, like John the Baptist, to prepare the way. We are preparing a way for Jesus to return; it looks like a holy people. As we do, we are also making ourselves ready for the days leading up to his coming. I don’t know the timeline, except to say that we are running out of time as the Church to be ready. I believe, like many others, that it won’t be long before we are in the thick of the end times.

Jesus warned the biblical disciples of division, persecution, trouble, and more frightening scenarios. But. With every warning, there was (is) a promise. I give you peace. I’m sending you the Helper. I am life. I overcome. That’s where faith comes in. And that is the parallel between then and now. We, like the disciples of the Bible, are adjusting to living with/for Jesus.

I’m asking for faith right now. Like, what does no-doubt faith look like, Jesus? Instead of being moved, silenced, paranoid, petrified—like the disciples in the boat when they saw Jesus walking on water—I want us to have eyes fixed on Jesus. That is what I keep coming back to in scripture. I keep coming back to some fundamental, is-it-really-that-simple, truth.

Simple may be misleading. What I mean is that faith can be stripped down to a simple yes or no, regardless of the details. For example, we are looking at Jesus walking on water, or we are looking at the waves stirred up by the winds. (Which one is more wonderful?) We see Jesus, or we can only see a ghost. We hear his invitation, or we see the obstacles in the way.

I think, at least in part, that getting ready looks like taking steps to grow in faith now. Whether they be baby steps or leaps and bounds, I want to be moving towards more faith and less fear every day. So, as the darkness gets darker, I don’t contemplate the storm, the wind, the edicts, etc., I fix my eyes on Jesus and let him manifest in me (John 14:18-21). I’m desperate for the Holy Spirit to lead me—to come with power in me, on me, through me. This kind of faith knows that the light of his glory will overcome darkness. This faith knows we will walk on water, calm storms, see the heavens opened… and ultimately see Jesus glorified. Yes, Lord! Be glorified.

I had to confess this: My fear doesn’t glorify God, my faith does. Eyes fixed on Jesus will glorify Jesus and usher in the Spirit even more. So, until doubt is eradicated, I’m going to keep looking at Jesus. A no-doubt faith is cultivated in me when I keep turning my eyes to Jesus. Having my eyes fixed on all your commandments (Psalm 119:6). And I will do this as many times as it takes, in any given circumstance, until I see him.

I recently heard someone explain the difference between see, look, and watch. To see comes naturally, to look is intentional, and to watch is a deliberate choice to look. I am going to keep watching for Jesus, so I can look at Jesus, until seeing him is as natural as breathing.

The thing about fear is that it’s just a shadow game Satan plays. He is casting shadows, and they appear larger than they actually are. It’s only a shadow. Not only that, but anytime the shadows of fear appear, we can rest in knowing the light is nearer. No light, no shadows. Here is another promise we can lean upon: The true light came into the world, and darkness could not comprehend it (John 1:1-9).

12 out of 12 is what I’m praying for, for me and for you to be so prepared in our hearts, souls, minds, and strength, that we are watching for Jesus. When shadows appear, we look for Jesus instead. When waves come, we see through them to Jesus. When the impossible is before us, we only hear Jesus’ invitation and walk towards him. All of us.

Practical Steps
Practicing this in the day-to-day details is preparation for more. Faithful with little, trusted with much.

What is one step of faith I can make today?
What can I walk away from today that draws me closer to the Lord?
Are there things I’m dwelling on (watching, listening to) that stir up fear instead of faith?
Where am I already seeing Jesus naturally?
Where can I look for Jesus in my day-to-day?
Am I watching for Jesus?
Am I asking the Holy Spirit for help?