Chapel – 5/20/20
Read: Matthew 14:23-31
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?”
Reflect:
“But when he saw the wind…” He saw the wind…It certainly feels like there’s a lot of ‘wind’ to see around us these days. Uncertainties abound. What will graduation look like? When will I be able to see my friends again? Will I be able to go on vacation this summer? When will my family member get their job back?
Can you picture Peter in your mind? He steps out of that boat, feet boldly on the water, eyes firmly planted on the Lord. And he begins to walk. And then, something distracts him. A rushing sound maybe, or a cresting wave…something distracts him. His eyes dart away from the Lord and he sees the wind. That moment, that glimpse away, changes his focus to something that produces fear in him, and he begins to sink…
On what turned out to be our last school day together at school this year Dr. Brandt shared Psalm 46, “though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging…” – wow, those would be distractions for sure! That would be some wind to see! And yet, even in those, the Psalmist promises (v.7), “The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” In Peter’s case – Jesus immediately reached out His hand and grabbed him. In our case – God remains with us, always there to ‘look to’, a focus in the midst of worldly uncertainties all around. God is indeed our (v.1) “refuge and strength”, taking our sins to the cross, conquering the grave for us, and paving the way for our everlasting life. And it is for that reason, and that reason alone, that ‘it’ is indeed well.
Listen: It Is Well, Kristene DiMarco
Prayer:
Dear Father, there are so many things around us which frighten us, worry us, and distract our focus. May your Holy Spirit work in us, to keep our eyes fixed on you. You are our comfort, our strength, our stronghold. In your name, Amen
Contributed by: Amy Cooper, Admissions Counselor