My life's journey is like rock climbing...
My ability and training allow me to climb well for the most part. However, Christ is my guide, my leader, in whom I follow behind and am tethered.
Naturally there are easy sections of the mountain where we cover a lot of ground easily, at a good pace, singing, talking. Other sections are a bit harder, so we're focused, concentrating - on occasion in our own zones. Still other sections are extremely dangerous and highly difficult. It's at these sections where just being tethered to Christ is not enough. At these sections it is impossible to get through without holding fast to Christ's hand!
The past few years, we've been working through a very difficult section of the mountain. We've gotten so high that we are enveloped in thick clouds... my view is very limited, at times I'm unable to see at all. Strangely there are these enormous flocks of birds and helicopters and planes circling so the noise is just insane. I've lost my grip on Christs hand. I'm reaching for it... with the clouds I can't see and the noise is drowning out His voice. I'm beginning to panic... I can't see His hand. I can't feel His hand. I can't hear His voice. I know He's there, I'm tethered to Him and the tether can never be severed. I know I am safe. I know all is and will be well - regardless of this blind and deaf spot. I've just lost my hold... I need to get it back in order to get through this section.
Guess it's like Peter (and the other disciples) when crossing the Sea of Galilee, a storm was brewing and suddenly Jesus is beside the boat. Peter is panicking - so He asks Peter to step out and come to Him... Peter does so. Peter is walking on water!... But then, he gets distracted by what's happening around him and loses sight of Jesus. He begins to sink... Jesus is still there, never left, telling Peter to stay focused to look at Him... but, Peter is still flailing - maybe he was sinking too much to focus, could only manage to concentrate on not drowning... so Jesus reaches out and pulls Peter to safety.
I'm distracted by all that's happening in my life right now. I'm sinking... I need to be pulled to safety, now... ME OF LITTLE FAITH. Father, I believe... just help me with my unbelief. Help me grab hold again... Clear the clouds, let me see... Silence the noise so I can hear...
The good news is... He will.
Matthew 14:22...Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
