Focused On Jesus

I've always been impulsive. I was one of the first to follow
Jesus. I didn't even know who He was, but when He said "Come, follow
Me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19), though I
didn't know what He meant, I dropped my fishing nets and
followed. After three years, I foolishly told Jesus I was "ready to
go with You to prison and to death" (Luke 22:33), but that same night
I denied I even knew Him - three times! And in the garden, when the
soldiers came to take Him away, I drew my sword "and struck the high
priest's servant, cutting off his right ear" (John 18:10).

But the most impulsive thing I ever did was that night in the
boat. The waves were rough and we had "rowed three or three and a
half miles" (John 6:19), when I saw Jesus walking on the water. I
told Him I would come if He called, and the next thing I knew I was
jumping out of the boat! And I didn't sink!! I kept my eyes on
Jesus. I knew in my heart He was "the Christ, the Son of the living
God" (Matthew 16:16), but the wind was blowing so hard and the waves
kept crashing against my legs.

Matthew 14:30
"But when he {Peter} saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to
sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!'"

Jesus said Peter began to sink because he doubted and had little
faith (Matthew 14:31). But let's not be too hard on Peter -
remember, no one else even left the boat! Peter stepped out of the
boat and took several steps on top of the water!! But then he lost his focus.

Peter was in the middle of an awesome display of God's power, and yet
he "saw the wind," or at least the effects of the wind. Peter began
to look at the turbulence of the world and not at the One who created
the world; "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of
our faith" (Hebrews 12:2).

There are times when we clearly see God's hand at work. Our eyes
become focused on Jesus, His peace fills our life, and the foundation
under our feet feels solid and secure. However, it's usually not
long before the wind begins to blow, the waves rise up, and we feel
that sinking feeling. When this happens (and it will) we must not
despair, for this is also part of God's wonderful plan. As we are
sinking, He always reaches out His hand as an invitation to draw near
and know Him better - to know He will always be there when we cry out
"Lord, save me!"

The walk of faith cannot be accomplished in our own strength. With
each step we must "put to death whatever belongs to your earthly
nature" (Colossians 3:5), and "clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus
Christ" (Romans 13:14). Every day we must take our eyes off our own
ability and the pulls of the world - take our eyes off the wind - and
commit to trusting and keeping our eyes focused on Jesus.

Have a Great Day!

Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries

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Scripture references: The Holy Bible: New International Version.
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