Today, in the concluding part of our series on the stupendous miracle of our Lord, walking on water , let’s look at the “third dimension” of this stunning episode.
Power
When the Master came walking on walker, did Peter also replicate this amazing act? YES, AS LONG AS HE KEPT HIS GAZE FIXED ON THE MASTER (Matt 14:29)! What then is needed to defy gravity or simply put, experience a miracle. TRUST IN GOD’S POWER! BROTHER, YOU NEED TO “COME OUT OF YOUR BOAT”, IF YOU WANT TO EXPERIENCE HIS POWER!!! If you are still in the safety of your boat (frankly speaking it’s dangerous), you would never experience firsthand His power.
Broadly speaking, this is true in a Christian’s life in two situations. Firstly when he/she takes a leap of faith, at the point of salvation. To trust Jesus as your Savior with a poor submissive, penitent spirit (Matt 5:3) means letting go of the “safety of different types of boats”! At the top of the list is the “boat of good deeds” to curry God’s favour. It would take one no where but to hell (Proverbs 14:12), for it revolves around the hidden, selfish principle of “I WILL FOLLOW GOD BUT ON MY TERMS ALONE”. By the way, do you know Mumbai Dons, too, excel in charity…
Then there is that perilous “boat of convenience”, one needs to abandon. I will enjoy my life to the hilt and seek the Saviour at the eleventh hour like the repentant thief on the cross… so goes the refrain of some folks. What if they die at 10:30! Asides, ONLY when they get “out of this boat and walk on water”, would they experience the fulfilling joy which the Saviour who came to give ABUNDANT LIFE (John 10:10) ALONE can impart! HEY, CHRISTIAN LIFE IS NOT BORING DEVOID OF ALL FUN RATHER IT IS EXCITING TO THE CORE!
The second situation is when God asks a Christian is to quit his legitimate job and become a full-timer, trusting IN HIS POWER alone to satisfy the latter’s needs. Now this is a difficulty with a capital D! To turn ones back to a pleasure-seeking, sinful lifestyle may be relatively easy but to let go of your legitimate right to pursue a fruitful career…BOY…this is where, trust in God’s power comes into play. Those who have “stepped out of the security of a lucrative, secular job” like yours truly alone can testify as to God’s power in miraculously making the “cup overflow”! Let me forewarn (in the spirit of the teaching in Matt 4:5-7) those pursuing wonderful careers with the right attitude (Colossians 3:23-24)…do not quit your job and take-up full-time spiritual service, till His call comes. If He calls you, be also guaranteed He will speak to you in a language, you are familiar with. Simply put, there would be no ambiguity about His call! Meanwhile thank Him for all the exposure, while you are at your secular job. There is a flipside too…in some cases…some painful unlearning would be required after stepping into a Spiritual vocation. All in all, if and when He calls you like He did Moses, do not give an excuse that you have “stammering tongue” (Exodus 4:10). By the way, Moses who stammered went on to preach the LONGEST, RECORDED SERMON in the Bible (33 Chapters of Deuteronomy at one stretch). How’s that for trusting in God and “coming out of the boat and walking on water”!!!
Oh yes, the miracle of Jesus walking on “harp-like lake” still resonates with sweet melodies carrying several profound lessons. Thank you Lord, for taking me to Israel! There I walked carrying painful arthritis infected legs and all …over the steep hills and valley (Deuteronomy 11:11/2 Cor 12:7-10)…Didn’t I know before going there what it takes to tour the Holy Land! Once again “I stepped out of the boat” and…HALLELUJAH! What price any theology, which doesn’t end with doxology!
Prayer: Father, strengthened inwardly by faith, enable us to step out of our comfort zones to bring glory to your Name at all times. In Jesus’ Name. Amen
Suresh Manoharan
(To access the entire “The Eternal Music” mini-series, please click here.)