. . . Peter . . . walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid . . . —Matthew 14:29-30
The wind really was boisterous and the waves really were high, but Peter didn’t see them at first. He didn’t consider them at all; he simply recognized his Lord, stepped out in recognition of Him, and “walked on the water.” Then he began to take those things around him into account, and instantly, down he went. Why couldn’t our Lord have enabled him to walk at the bottom of the waves, as well as on top of them? He could have, yet neither could be done without Peter’s continuing recognition of the Lord Jesus.
We step right out with recognition of God in some things, then self-consideration enters our lives and down we go. If you are truly recognizing your Lord, you have no business being concerned about how and where He engineers your circumstances. The things surrounding you are real, but when you look at them you are immediately overwhelmed, and even unable to recognize Jesus. Then comes His rebuke, “. . . why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). Let your actual circumstances be what they may, but keep recognizing Jesus, maintaining complete reliance upon Him.
If you debate for even one second when God has spoken, it is all over for you. Never start to say, “Well, I wonder if He really did speak to me?” Be reckless immediately— totally unrestrained and willing to risk everything— by casting your all upon Him. You do not know when His voice will come to you, but whenever the realization of God comes, even in the faintest way imaginable, be determined to recklessly abandon yourself, surrendering everything to Him. It is only through abandonment of yourself and your circumstances that you will recognize Him. You will only recognize His voice more clearly through recklessness— being willing to risk your all.
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June 18, 2012
Journal Entry for Today-JDV
Lord, I get the message about keeping my eyes on you during storms and trials, I really do. In fact, I believe I hear you most clearly when I am in the middle of a storm. C S Lewis thought that was the case when he described our pain as God’s megaphone. Whenever I see or even suspect a storm, I run to You. In fact, I often feel like I may let You down because I cling to You most tightly and seek You most desperately on the occasion of storms.
And God says…”All things work together for good, for those that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. Storms, tough times, difficult circumstances; they are all used to help shape and refine you. When you begin to see heaven as your home, you begin to understand that this life on earth is simply a preparation for life everlasting. All that occurs in this life shapes and helps prepare you for the next. And the most amazing lesson is your realization that you are complete only when you are connected to Jesus. If storms and tough times are what drive you closer to Jesus, then they are good for your life.”
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