Hey, guys hope y’all are doing good. I’m going to be sharing what God is speaking to me in the blog every week, so stay tuned and come back to get a word of encouragement and revelation from God. Also, the blog is in the form of a podcast. You can find the links to the podcast in the podcast tab. All of this aside, let’s get to the blog.
When you think of the season that we as the whole world are going through with the widespread of the covid virus, it’s as though we were given no time to even think about what was happening. It was like a wave that hit us, we never expected. A similar situation is where the disciples find themselves in Matthew 14:22
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.Matthew 14:22
The word immediately shows the transition from one of the greatest miracles performed by Jesus to a stormy and wavy sea they never expected. They had no time to process the miracle, yet they found themselves in the middle of a sea.
The next verse tells us that Jesus was alone praying while the boat had gone a considerable distance into the sea after sending the disciples.
After He had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
We can relate with this passage if we are:
Waiting on God, like Jesus was, all alone.
All alone on one side because of our own mistakes and behaviour. Thinking to ourselves we missed the opportunity and chance that was before us.
We are in the middle of the stressful sea of a season in life trying so hard to just move forward like the disciples in the boat.
Well, your answer awaits in the very next verse, cause Jesus shows up in verse 25.
Shortly before dawn, Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
But have you thought about the fact that the solution to whatever you are going through has always been with you? The Jesus I serve is a God who never leaves us. Verse 26 says this:
When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said and cried out in fear.
Are we like the disciples and thinking that Jesus, who wants to change our lives for good, is a ghost we don’t want to associate with? Are we pushing God away as we are uncomfortable with the way He shows up? Jesus didn’t show up walking on land rather on water, something science or logic cannot explain. Can I encourage you to check your life to see if God is showing up in a way that is unfamiliar to you, a way that you cannot understand. Would you allow Him to move and do what He wants to do in your life? Jesus’ answer to the disciples was so immediate and something we need to do. So He will answer you immediately. Just call on Him even if you are to call Him a ghost.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Jesus says take courage as it takes a lot of courage and faith to let down your guard, be humble before Him, or believe in a Water walking God. Know that it is God. Don’t be afraid to surrender your life to the one who created you. Don’t be afraid as He is such a loving God. He will take care of you more than anyone else. You are safe in His hands.
After Jesus said ‘take courage’, Peter was the only one who had the guts to say this to Jesus:
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
I challenge you to say this to God today. Whatever you may go through, I assure you His answer is always going to be:
“Come,” he said.Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
The water is a place of unknown and a place we don’t understand. Yet it is the place where God meets with us. The water walking experience is being in a relationship with Jesus and walking with Jesus every day of our lives. It’s something we cannot fully understand or contemplate. It is a step of faith just like the walking on water was a step of faith for Peter. The three phrases that are in the verse are the three important things we need to do in the spirit led walk with Jesus.
Got down out of the boat
Walked on water
Came toward Jesus
Before I tell you more about these 3 things, I just want to talk about Peter for a moment. This guy, Peter had the guts to follow God into the unknown when the other disciples were still in the boat. He did something different, he acted on God’s single and simple word “COME”. I want to encourage you if you are someone who wants to do something different, something no one has ever done before. Be that one person who never fits into the cliché groups of this world. I just want to say to you that you are not alone. There has always been a Peter in this world. Just keep at it. It’s people like you whom God is looking for. The water walkers of this generation. Don’t give up just yet. I know it’s hard and it sucks not to have anybody to share the things you are going through. Like no would ever get you. But let me tell you that there is a God who is like you with whom you can share anything and everything. HE will get you like no other. Because JESUS was the original water walker. You are like Him made in His image.
If you are one of those Peter kind of people, then these 3 things will definitely help you.
Firstly, you’ve got to come down from your stance and get to the state God wants you to be in. It might look like a let down from where you are right now. I know it looks like foolishness, but sometimes it takes a foolish move to be a living miracle.
Secondly, you’ve got to take every step by faith and step into the unknown. The things God ask you to do will always be in the unknown just like the water. So believe in God and take that step by faith. I know your legs might be trembling, not knowing if you are going to make it another step. I promise you, my God will strengthen your legs and make the water sturdy enough to hold you. So just do it. Go for it. Trust in what God has told you and show that you believe by acting on His word.
Finally and most importantly, do the previous two steps looking at Jesus and no one else. Just for Jesus and not anyone or anything else. Cause you can walk on water not because you know how to, but because you are looking at Jesus. When Peter stopped looking at Jesus and started looking elsewhere, the bible says
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?”
When Jesus says, you of little faith, He means faith to keep looking at Jesus even after you start walking on water. Your faith might be shaken by fear or anxiety or pride or overconfidence. Whatever it may be, I encourage you to give it up and start looking at Jesus no matter what. Don’t walk on water for anything else but to get closer to god.
It all comes down to the relationship we have with Jesus. It’s the relationship we have with Jesus that helps us through every step. So get out there into the world, rooted in Christ and be that ‘one’ who walks on water when others are trembling back in the boat. Go in front of your addiction, your problems, your hurdles, your pain, your fears, your mistakes and show that YOU ARE A WATER WALKER.
Remember, it’s about Jesus, not you. The start, the process and the end are all through Jesus and Jesus alone; that the testimony you carry will be:
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
MAY THE TRUTH SET YOU FREE:)