I want to talk about the only guy in history, to my knowledge, that has walked on water (besides Jesus). Peter (meaning Rock), the one Jesus said in Matthew 16:18 that "On this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it." Have you ever read this story yourself or read it slowly dissecting the details of it? Recently, I have. Whenever I am learning something through circumstances in my life I tend to look for biblical characters who have walked in an area I am learning to walk in. No. I am not attempting to walk on water. Although, THAT'D BE SO COOL!!!!! I am, however, being challenged to trust God with circumstances that I literally do not understand and cannot wrap my mind around. I feel like God is asking me to trust him even when the situation doesn't make sense to me in the slightest and others looking in to the situation would probably think I was being unwise or reckless. So enters Peter. He was an average man, a fisherman to be exact. He was very familiar with the water and the effects of weather on the water. His father, Jona, was also a fisherman, so Peter grew up on the water and learned how to run the family fishing business. He knew when it was time to head back to shore when trouble was on the horizon. Matthew 14:22-34 sets the scene for Peter's walking on water, "Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves." Now, Peter was the expert, right? He ran a fishing business. He had to have known getting on the water at this time wasn't going to be the best idea for him and his "shipmates". It didn't seem wise or rational and it probably went against his better judgement. However, he was obedient to Jesus despite possibly having doubts about getting on the water. Lo and behold, his perceived doubts were confirmed. The bible says, "a strong wind had risen and they were fighting waves" (picture the movie "The Perfect Storm" with George Clooney & Mark Wahlberg). The passage continues, "About 3 o'clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, It's a ghost!" But Jesus spoke to them at once. "Don't be afraid," he said. "Take courage, I am here!" Not only is Peter in a boat seemingly bound for shipwreck, of which he probably knew ahead of time but he's also surrounded by those who are gripped with fear and don't even recognize their master, Jesus. So what Peter does next really blows me away. Almost without thinking or pondering the circumstances or the voices of fear around him he "Called to him, Lord, if it's really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water." WOW! Walk on water? Actually, walk on tumultuous and unstable water? Peter knows how dangerous the stormy waters can be yet he doesn't hesitate to walk on them. Peter does what many of us don't do (myself included). Instead of looking at his circumstance and responding based on his knowledge of storms, heavy weather and the severity of them, he responds based on the knowledge of his master, Jesus. His master told him to get in the boat and cross to the other side and so he was obedient to Him despite possibly having doubts. He establishes his heart of obedience even before the storm comes. He then decides not to succumb to the fear and threats of the water and instead succumbs to the desire to go where his Master goes and do what his Master does. If you notice, Peter initiates walking on water. He says to Jesus, "if it's really you, tell me to come to you walking on the water." This is significant because often times we aren't obedient to God for fear of not knowing if He is truly calling us. Sometimes we can see where God is moving but we still feel we need a word or a call. In summary, what we learn from Peter is 1) We need to learn to be obedient regardless of whether it makes sense to us or makes sense to others around us 2) We have to be willing to, figuratively speaking, get out of our boat, in uncertain circumstances, and walk in territory that is impossible for us but is possible with God and 3) when we see God is moving, follow him, without letting fear or our circumstances determine how we respond but instead respond to God based on what He's told us to do and based on who He is, a faithful and all-powerful Creator who loves us more than anything else He's ever created. It's time to go where our Master goes and do what our Master does! Many many blessings to you and your family and Happy New Year! May 2014 be a year of new courage and faith for me and you! Laura