Faith unleashes the supernatural. We can live on a boat for security or on the waters of faith where we might drown.
The gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John all record Peter and Jesus walking on the water. Peter asked Jesus, “If it is you Jesus can I too walk on water.” He acknowledges Jesus’ has bent the law of nature, and calls to him before the other disciples. In the Icon, Peter walks on the water with the help and encouragement of Jesus.
In the story, Jesus commands Peter to “come” to Him on the water. Peter took one step in faith to get out of the boat and onto the water. Peter did not experience the supernatural power of God that allowed him to walk on water until he trusted what he saw as something impossible. Faith unleashes the supernatural.
Faith and Fear to Walk on Water
Peter was distracted by fear and the thinking mind. He lost his sense of belief in what was happening. We become less when we cleave to the physical world as if it is the only reality. With just a little faith we are capable of greater wisdom, love, trust, mystery, and open ourselves to every potential for God’s unscientific presence.
It is easy to lose our determined focus on Jesus and to become consumed with the concerns for our outside world. As Peter walks on the water he is distracted and looked around at his surroundings. His faith withered and he sank. When we keep our eyes on God, the limits and confinement of this reality will get distorted. Our life can be a tumultuous storm, but the spiritual dimension is always there for guidance.
Imagine Peter leaving the boat alone and walking by faith on the water. He may not have known how to swim. He is successful in this “impossible situation”. It’s a comical story where two dimensions collide. We can live in a storm in a boat for security instead of on the waters of faith where we might drown. It is difficult to not trust the safe and familiar, to walk by faith through a tempest. For those who watch us will see that they too can walk on the water.
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