Are You Focused On Christ or On the Waves?

Courtesy of pexels.com

Matthew 14:22-33

Imagine how incredible it must have been to see two men walk on water. First Jesus, then Peter, doing the impossible. What would you have felt as you watched the two defy gravity and everything you know to be true about the surface of a lake? Would you have been afraid for both? Would you have been jealous of Peter wishing you had the courage to step out of the boat? Would you have taken the time to be amazed or would you have been upset with Jesus for letting you go out in a storm?

Early on in my Christian walk I endured what I still consider one of the biggest storms of my life. I had moved back home after graduating college, planning to find a job and to get established on my own as quickly as possible. Because of my own poor financial decisions I needed time to dig my way up to where I could find a financial path. Little did I know my mom's situation was worse than my own.

I had my suspicions but could not confirm that my mom was unemployed until the power was turned off. For the next year we would survive with no light, no heat and limits to what kind of food we could store. We weren't homeless but the life we were living was not far from it. Fortunately we did have warm water and a working stove, though unrefrigerated hot dogs were perhaps not the best thing to cook. I thank God I didn't die of food poisoning.

Early on during that year of darkness I found it difficult to focus on Christ. When the storm shows no sign of ending and the waves are coming in from all directions it's tough to believe in God or His promises, especially when sinking seems to be the only available option. From time to time I, like Peter, called out, "Save me Lord." But most of the time I griped about the situation calling God out saying, "Why me," or "Lord, how could you?"

It's hard to embrace the waves during a storm. I tend to look at the big waves, the ones which tend to pull me under. But even in the storms we are told to give thanks. We are in God's hands. Even in the storm we are where He wants (I Thessalonians 5:16-18). There we can learn and grow and be refined at the hand of the Master. However to truly grow we must keep our eyes on the One Who calms the storms.

During a year of living unplugged I learned how God can sustain when we seem to have nothing. My year with no electricity became one long quiet time with God, that is once I learned to end my self-centered complaining. No it was not easy. In the middle of that storm I wanted out. I wanted to see the light at the end of the tunnel or any other light that might come available. I thought I needed electricity and television and a power can opener. God took all that away and I found what I really needed.

Salvation in Christ does not mean an end to the storms of life. On the contrary, we may even see more storms because of who we have become. What is different for the believer is the fact that our storms bring with them the Father's goals for that chapter of life. Think of the lessons the disciples learned in the middle of the storm, the testimonies they gained as they witnessed the power of God incarnate. Without the storm and the waves they would have missed out. Because of those same waves they grew in their faith, praising Jesus as the Son of God.

Trust in God during the storms that come into your life. Focus and watch as He works all for your good and His glory.

"And we know all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

Romans 8:28

Do you know this for yourself? Are you focused on Christ knowing He is working for your good or are you focused on the waves? Keep your focus on Christ. As for those storms, learn to embrace the waves as opportunities for growth.