A Beginner’s Guide to Walking on Water
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “Tell me to come to you on the water. ‘Come,’ He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
In my mind’s eye I imagine how for a split second this miracle unfolded in Peter’s mind. The slight chance that the impossible could become possible if only the Lord will say to him “come” and the Lord did say come. In that moment it seemed a window of possibility opened in Peter’s mind. The chance that this thing he saw his master do, maybe if an invitation was extended to him, just maybe, he could do it also. It was no longer a question of “can I do it?” it was more a rhetoric question of “so I can do it?”
The Bible records in verse 29 of this passage that Peter got out of the boat and walked on water! It wasn’t a few steps or that is what would’ve been noted. Peter walked on water going towards Jesus! His goal was clearly to meet Jesus where he was and probably walk back to the boat with him or the boat would move to where they were because that’s what boats do not humans. In that moment I believe Peter’s mind and will was in sync with the Father’s perfect will for him at that time of his life.
It’s amazing how, the mind that embarked on this adventure of faith was open to possibilities without thinking of the one million probable reasons this could and should not happen, suddenly shut in doubt upon the realization of how dangerous, ludicrous, abnormal and unnatural this thing he was doing was.
Nothing had changed. Peter was walking on water to meet Jesus who was still on the water, the boat was where it was and the atmospheric conditions remained the same, windy and the “waves were against them” as can be seen in verse 24. Yet, all of a sudden, he noticed the Wind and became a lily-livered chicken full of fear and doubt even though he had conquered the laws of nature just moments before. Nothing changed here, the only thing that had changed was Peter’s focus.
Life is unique in the sense that it is fraught with diverse challenges and seemingly impossible situations. I don’t believe that Jesus walked on water just to show off (even if he does from time to time in my life) I sincerely believe he was showing us that as long as our focus is on him, we will overcome the debilitating fear that life and the world tries to infuse into our minds that cripple and makes hope for breakthrough or success in our endeavors totally impossible.
Many times we go through situations and look back only to marvel at how mighty God’s hand is to deliver us whole from calamity. In His mercy, He shields us from seeing the magnitude of what the challenge truly is at the time we are going through because He needs us to be one with Him. Believing that He is able to deliver on His promises regarding our situations.
Do you imagine that the one who said “come” is unable to sustain you as you walk on water in the middle of a storm? Yes, Life throws mean punches and they are never feather light! For many, when it rains problems it literally pours. It’s never a light drizzle but God is asking us to open our minds to the fact that there is nothing too hard or big for Him because all things are subject to Him! All!
It is in our best interest to focus on Jesus! He doesn’t need it, we do. So that the cares and worries of this life do not cower and then drown us like unfortunate beings.
For those in their life’s boat going through the storms rejoice that you can see and Identify Jesus in your storm but take that bold step and walk on water with Him. It’s His desire to do the impossible in and through you. For those who don’t know Jesus as Lord, this is a good place to start, give it a shot, just give a life with Jesus a chance, a life that can walk on water even in the dark storms of your life.
Written by Tonye Solomon
Tonye is simple, creative and multi-talented. She is a Real estate consultant by day and a writer, content creator, wig and jewelry maker, skills acquisition trainer, small business support consultant by night. She is a mother of two and a lover of God. She writes sometimes, mostly about God, life, love and healing.
