…and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately, Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14: 30-31).
Peter was in over his head—literally. He had taken his eyes off Jesus, focused on his worldly circumstances, and panicked. His grand venture of faith was falling apart rather quickly.
So he cried out to God.
Good move, Pete.
There are two things that really hit me in this passage. The first is Peter’s faith.
Yes, I realize that this story highlights his doubt—Jesus points this out himself. But I think that his doubt is not so much in God’s ability to work as it is in God’s willingness to work in Peter. It’s a feeling I know all too well. I know that God can do anything he wants; I just can’t imagine that he wants to do it through me. It’s a weird mixture of pride and self-doubt that we all fall victim to.
Except you, Beloved. I know—you’ve got it all together.
But Peter’s faith in God is rock-solid—no pun intended. After all, to whom does he cry out in his fear?
To whom do you cry out?
The other thing that strikes me in this passage is the Lord’s reaction to Peter. “Immediately, Jesus reached forth his hand and caught Peter.” Jesus did not let Peter founder and flop and flail in the water. He was there, waiting, at the moment his child needed him.
Then he spoke to Peter. Now I can’t be sure in what tone of voice he said, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Perhaps he was frustrated; maybe he was genuinely curious. My gut tells me, though, that there was a smile in his eyes, and that small shake of the head that a parent uses when his child has goofed. I haven’t found it in any translation of this passage, but I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if Jesus had followed up this statement with, “You knucklehead.”
Maybe that’s just me.
The more I think about it, the more I am convinced that Jesus was pleased rather than frustrated with Peter. I think he truly enjoyed seeing Peter take these few faltering steps of faith, just like I loved seeing my kids learn to walk. Sure they fell, and I chuckled when they did, because I knew that ultimately I would keep them safe.
I don’t know what God is calling you to today. Could be adventure; could be trial. But I do know this—he’s calling you out on the water. He has a challenge for you. He wants to show you what he can do in and through you. Sure you might fall—and he stands ready to catch you. Sure you might fail—and he stands ready to pick you up and let you try again. Don’t be afraid of letting him down. Every step you take in him makes him proud as can be. Don’t be deceived into thinking that God wouldn’t work through you. Trust me, he’s worked through a lot worse than you.
He’s worked through me.
Just look to the One who loves you, Beloved.
Step out.