Nougat 10

Gmorning

The lady had suffered from some kind of paralysis. She was in recovery mode. Out for a spa day with friends, she was obliged to rely on them to get her into the water. It was touch and go at some points and I marveled at her faith.

How’s our faith life these days? Consider today’s Holy Nougat

“Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”” Matthew‬ ‭14:31‬ ‭NLT

With Jesus within arm’s reach, Peter faltered. And major faltered too. He was in full panic mode. The waves were surging around him and Peter KNEW he was going to die. One minute he was happily on top of the world, the next, he was drowning. Literally. Isn’t it ironic! The same Peter, who demanded that Jesus enable him to walk on water was about to drown in the SAME water in less than one conversation!

Why?

How could he? What could have overcome Peter? How do we think the other disciples were reacting? – Perhaps something like ‘Riiiiiiight! You left us in the boat and you’re still about to drown!’ Maybe they were busy bailing water out of the boat. Was he not a disciple anymore? More critically, what would our response have been?

Jesus’ reaction is pretty interesting – He reaches out to Peter and reprimands him for losing faith. That is – Jesus saved Peter first, then He addressed the root cause of the problem.

Faith

Seems we humans lose it most during the high seasons of our lives. Abraham has successfully defeated five kings when he feared for his life and tries to traffic Sarai. Moses has already overthrown pharaoh when he struck the rock! Elijah had already overcome the 450 priests of Baal when he went in hiding from Jezebel. All these people had publicly demonstrated God’s majesty and power prior to those crises of faith.

What then?

Faith is not only about trusting God in the rough patches; it’s also about God in the in between moments; after the highs and before we hit rock bottom. That’s when the runner hits the road; when we make the crucial decision that will make or break us. When our faith comes under fire, how do we respond? Do we flail and get so sidetracked by the rising waters that we FAIL to see Jesus less than an arm’s length away? And when we can’t see or feel Jesus, do we cry out to Him or in fear, give up?

Lord help us to be found faithful in our storms.

In Christ’s love and grace . . .