LXVI.
EYES ON JESUS
(5/21)
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, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him. (Matthew 14:28-31)
Keep your eyes on Jesus! That’s the lesson Peter learned. He could walk on water as long as he focused on God. The minute he focused on the wind and the waves, he sunk.
I have never walked on hot coals. But I have been told by those brazen enough to attempt it that they were able to run across the coals as a result of focusing on the horizon and not the coals. These days, the winds of change are buffeting us. The world will never be quite the same as it was three months ago, and frankly in the midst of the pandemic, there are times we get that sinking feeling. We don’t know how long we can hold out, shelter in place, wait for a visit to the salon, go out for dinner, or get together with friends, return to our church sanctuary. We may worry about contracting the virus and if we haver age or risk factors fear that we won’t survive. This are all real concerns, and to deny them, either at the personal or national level, is to court disaster. But, they are not the only reality. God is with us in the storm.
While keeping our eyes on Jesus will not immunize us from all of life’s threats, it can transform our lives. We can walk through the storm while focusing on the horizon of God’s love. We can live in the challenges of the present moment while trusting that God will guide us toward new possibilities. We can walk through the storm with courage and compassion.
Keep your eyes on Jesus! For me, this means taking time for prayer and meditation, reading devotional materials, regularly asking what Jesus might want me to do in a particular situation, and trying to see God in every situation. It means staying open to new insights and ways of looking at my life and the world around me. It means blessing the people I meet.
Keep your eyes on Jesus! Focus on God’s presence in the storm, and discover a way forward through choppy waters.
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In a time in which it’s easy to lose faith, let me focus on your presence in your life. Let me look towards the horizons of your love, guiding me every step of the way. Amen.
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Bruce Epperly is a Cape Cod pastor, professor, and author of over 50 books including FAITH IN A TIME OF PANDEMIC and GOD ONLINE: A MYSTIC’S GUIDE TO THE INTERNET.
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