Swell

If you have been to the ocean as a child then you might have been blown away by how vast the water seemed.

I remember as a child walking out into the water until I was around waist deep and being surprised by a new swell that lifted me up and gently placed me a little further out into the ocean. I absolutely loved this sensation. 

A new swell quickly followed the last one placing me a little further out. And another swell larger then the rest came and lifted me up but when it left I was not able to touch the bottom. Instant panic as I slipped down reaching down with my toes for some hope of ground. My head was now under water and my nose was stinging with salt water, panicking my mouth opened and water flowed in. It seems that one little bad decision leads to a dramatically worse situation. 

Thinking about this situation today I am reminded of how sneaky sin can be in my life. How quickly a life situation can escalate into being drowned in lack of faith. 

My fear as a child froze up my thinking, I did not think clearly. My actions were rash and uncontrolled leading to a new yet worse situation to be in, deeper in the water. 

When I think about current concerns, such as making sure my finances are in order or how my relationships rely solely on me-  my own actions begin to spiral out of control. 

Matthew 14:22-33

And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him,“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying,“Truly you are the Son of God.”

I am so much like Peter. I so often ask God if He wants me to have faith and He says yes. I begin to walk and live my life in faith and then it happens. The storm of the world attacks and I begin to lose any concentration. Like myself as a child the swells of the world draw me out into the deep water and I sink quickly. 

Psalm 27:4-6 

One thing have I asked of the Lord,

that will I seek after:

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord

and to inquire in his temple.

For he will hide me in his shelter

in the day of trouble;

he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;

he will lift me high upon a rock.

And now my head shall be lifted up

above my enemies all around me,

and I will offer in his tent

sacrifices with shouts of joy;

I will sing and make melody to the LorD

I am confident the LORD will lift my head out of the water when I seek Him, when I confess my sins and depend on him. My Christ is the light of my salvation, I do not fear my circumstances.