The Weekly Word: Walk amidst the waves

By Pastor Coulter Page, Bethany Alliance Church

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?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

— ESV Matthew 14:28-33

The school year has begun. For my family, there were some big changes that took place. My son began preschool three mornings a week, and my daughter began kindergarten five full days a week.

Talk about some major change.

It has been tough on my daughter being away that much. She is a homebody and likes being with her mom and siblings all day. She has had some rough moments and at times really pushed back on wanting to go to school.

As we have been navigating this with her, last night we came across the story shared above in our kids’ children’s Bible. What a perfect moment.

My daughter immediately put the pieces together. She knows that she is focusing on the waves around her —negative things, things she fears, and things she doesn’t like. She got a huge smile and said, “I just need to focus on Jesus!” What a wise 5-year-old.

So many of us need to hear this lesson right now. There are a lot of waves in our world. There are lots of things that scare us and are very uncomfortable.

If you don’t believe me, just watch a news highlight reel from this last year or scroll on Facebook for five minutes. The waves are crashing. A lot of us choose to focus on those very waves. We get consumed by them. We can’t get our mind off them. But hear the words of a 5-year-old, “I just need to focus on Jesus!”

Maybe your reply is, “Coulter, that is great, but I just can’t.” Trust me, I get it. That is what my daughter said to me this morning. That is what I have felt at times when the waves are crashing. That is why you need to spend time figuring out what will help you focus on Jesus.

Three things that I have come to realize help me are 1) Journaling, 2) Worshipping, and 3) Going to the gym. These are three things Jesus uses to get my mind emptied of the waves and refocused on Him.

What will he use in your life to help you walk amidst the waves?

Prayer

Father, there are a lot of waves in my life. You know what consumes my mind and heart. You know what I tend to focus on. You also know that it is causing me to sink. Today I refocus. Today I get my eyes on Jesus. Help me to not be so consumed with the waves but instead to be enamored with you. Help me to walk focused completely on you. Amen.

Walking amidst the waves and focusing on Jesus is not easy. It is especially hard to do on your own. We want to invite you to get that support at Bethany Alliance Church. We gather weekly at 10:02 a.m. on Sundays at 1100 Clinton Street as well as online at bethanyalliancechurch.online.church. We would love to have you join us. Any questions you can call us at 641-228-1318, email us at office@bethanyalliance.com, or find us on Facebook @BethanyAlliance.