Walking on Water

Matthew 14: 28-30 “Lord, if it’s you, “ Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”  “Come,” Jesus replied.  Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord save me!”

Directing a Christian camp for students was a great experience and gave me an opportunity to stay young through interacting with the teachers and leaders each week.  The facility had a ¾ - acre lake located next to our dining area and evening campfires and worship sessions were held on its shore.

This lake was a little different because it had been rebuilt to twice its original size.  There was a concrete dam about four feet wide across one end when the lake was first built.  But with the lake being doubled in size, the new dam which was built increased the water table about three feet higher than the original dam.

One evening the dean decided that he would portray Jesus by walking on the water. The heat of summer had lowered the water table so the top of the dam was only about four inches under the water. With three hundred junior high students gathered around the shoreline campfire, the dean, dressed like Jesus, walked out on the water.  The students were amazed to say the least.  As he spoke to them he casually continued to walk across the lake. However, in his lack of concentration he forgot about the “gap” in the dam.  That gap was cut to allow fish to move from one side of the lake to the other.

As a “wet Jesus” took his place in front of the campfire, the staff couldn’t help but laugh quietly in the back of the crowd. He had taken on the appearance of Jesus, but he too had lost his focus. 

  

Sometimes we become very active in our church, and often give our time and money to its work.  We may even help those in need in a variety of ways.  But in our desire to do “religious” things, we lose sight of our relationship to Jesus, the giver of grace.  We take our eyes off of Him and busy ourselves with doing what we think He wants us to do.  It is then that we fall into the water of troubles.

 

Walking on water requires faith and focusing solely on Him. Otherwise, you will just end up all wet.  It's great to be busy and religious but don't lose your focus on the relationship.