Discomfort and Heat 

At the age of thirty-three, doctors told me I would possibly lose my life due to Stage 3 breast cancer. I was a mom of two precious children, and had a life I loved (most of the time). As soon as I heard the word, cancer, I lost focus of everything else and began to listen to my fear - the raging winds, the heavy rain, the loud churning of the waves inside of me, telling me, you're dead. No one survives cancer. Soon after, God reminded me to "trust Him" (Proverbs 3:5-6) Fifteen years later, I'm alive, and I keep my eyes fixed.

Isn’t that how we think? Can God really do the impossible? Can He heal my disease, my marriage, my relationship with my prodigal son or daughter?

Even the Disciples, men who walked and talked with God intimately doubted the signs and wonders, until…

Jesus walking on water is a key miracle in the scriptures. John 6:16-21 (Christian Standard Bible), “when the evening came, his disciples went down to the sea (17) got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. Darkness had already set in, but Jesus had not yet come to them. (18) A high wind arose, and the sea began to churn. (19) After they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea. He was coming near the boat, and they were afraid. Now, can you imagine…the sea is raging, and I’m sure there’s thunder, and the boat was being – as scripture points out – battered by the wind and waves (Matthew 14:24). The disciples see this figure in the distance. Was it a ghost? But it’s Jesus. Jesus says to the disciples, “It Is I. Do not be afraid.” Then they were willing to take him onboard the boat, and at once the boat was at the shore where they were heading. In Mark 6:51, it says the disciples were astounded at Jesus walking on water and ceasing the winds and rain, because they had not understood about the loaves. Scripture says, their hearts were hardened (Mark 6:52). Remember that these were the same men who witnessed the feeding of the five-thousand just hours before. In Matthew 14:28, we see Peter being somewhat bold in asking, “Lord, if it’s you, command me to come to you on the water.” Climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water, but then he took his eyes off of Jesus and instead, sees the raging waters and turbulent wind, and he immediately began to sink. He cried, “Lord save me!” Jesus quickly reached out his hand and took hold of Peter. Can you imagine that moment? Have you ever sat through a tornado warning, hovered in the bathroom with a pillow over your head? Yes, I’d say we would have been fearful. When they got out of the boat, they worshipped Jesus and said, “Truly you are the son of God.”

What can we learn from the fifth sign: Jesus Walking on Water?

1.)  Making room for God in our lives allows the opportunity to know Him more and to recognize His presence and His word. Even though the disciples had been with Jesus, they did not recognize him as he approached them in the storm. When the winds and rain in your life are raging all around you, do you recognize that God can calm the storm?

2.)  Do we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus when things around us seem to be caving in? Peter did not sink until he began to focus on the storm instead of the author of life, Jesus.

3.)  Restoring faith after trial or hardship: In John 16:33, God reminds the follower of Jesus, that you “will have trouble, but take courage, He has overcome the world.” We all have good intentions, much like Peter and the disciples, but at some point our faith will be tested. We become discouraged or saddened.

4.)  Weathering the storm with Jesus: When Jesus got into the boat with the disciples, the storm ceased! It stopped. When we have Jesus in the boat – and in our lives – He is able to calm the raging sea and storms that rock the waters of our life.

We can trust our God that He has all things in His hands. We have nothing to worry about.

With a grateful heart,

Tonya Ainsworth