The Jagged Edge

My hands are desparately clinging to the edge of a cliff wall. My feet are dangling. My mind is racing. Then God says in a calm voice, "Let go."

Yeah, right! I can't let go into the unknown. No way! Uh-uh...it ain't gonna happen. Then I'm reminded of Peter.

“Lord, if it's you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said. (Matthew 14:28-29 NIV)

Let's think about this scene for a minute. It's almost dawn. The disciples are dead-beat tired from fighting a storm all night. Suddenly, they see this image on the water. They believe it's a ghost. Jesus knows full well what is happening. He says to them, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." He could've come right up to the boat and calmed the storm. He could've put his arms around his disciples and comforted them. But...he didn't.

Notice in these verses that the storm is still going. Nowhere, from verses 25-31, does the Gospel say the storm ceased upon the mere presence of Jesus. No, this was a test of faith. This test wasn't just for the disciples or for Peter, but for all of us. Look at the first part of verse 29 again. Jesus says, "Come." He doesn't speak harshly or with anger. He speaks attractively as if he's inviting us.

Imagine the Christ standing in the middle of your storm saying, "Come." That's all He says, very simply, "Come." How many of us are already thinking, "Where? To you? But I... You don't understand..." Jesus knows what's in our hearts and minds. He knows if we long to be his servants - His faithful followers.

End your doubting. Put away your fears. Go to the One who calls us.