Readjusting Our Eye Focus

Peter is a man after my own heart. I feel a certain bond with him. Perhaps, it is because he reminds me of myself at times and my friends and family at other times. Or it could be that I see Peter in all of us as we walk the Christian path and strive to serve Christ obediently, and yet, possessing shortcomings that can become our own stumbling stones.

We commend Peter for attempting what we might consider the impossible. Water, after all, is not cement or paved road. But he did actually walk for a certain space across the turbulent waters. How was he able to do this? It was simply that he had his eyes on Jesus, the symbol of victory, approaching through the storm. Faith identified him with Christ and endowed him with divine power. It is an example of faith in action, for it brings life into harmony with the creative will. Such faith is the victory that overcomes the world. In that moment of utter and complete identification with Christ, Peter achieved the impossible.

But, when he took his focus off Jesus; when he began to focus on the storm, he began to sink. How sad to fail after having started successfully. This scenario mimics our own does it not? So often we begin well but become distracted by negative forces. We allow our fears and unbelief; our overconfidence and feigned self-sufficiency to capture us and bind us in the psychological tomb of defeat. Peter recovered and so can we. He readjusted his eye focus. Once rid of his self-assertiveness and self-sufficiency, and acknowledging his need, his danger, his weakness and his folly, he looked at Jesus and cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus saw him and immediately lifted him up. It was not Peter's faith, but his faith in Christ Jesus that saved him. When he called, Jesus responded.

Our Lord told us to ask and we will receive and to knock and the door would be opened for us. Because the winds of temptations are so strong, we must ask God for the victory that only He can give. We call upon Him to help us to keep our vision clearly on our Savior and our hearts attuned to His holy word.

By faith we live in Him and enjoy His true victory.

Scriptural Reference: Matthew 14:30.

Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, veteran social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach which can be reviewed on her site. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: My Grief Management Workbook, is expected to be available soon.

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