A number of years ago, my mom and her younger sister would sometimes sing duets in front of church. Understandably this made them nervous. My grandfather gave them wise advice when they confided their worries to him. "If you get nervous," he would say, "just look at me."
Have you felt nervous lately? Maybe your feelings indicator leans closer to the "scared" or "terrified" reading. I wouldn't blame you. There are numerous things crowding in around us giving us a feeling of unease. Many of us are facing unknowns. Some are trying to catch their balance after an unexpected happening. Others are mourning the loss of one they love. There are thousands trying to reconcile the invasion and tragedies happening in their homeland with the God of Love they have been told about.
Don't let the confusion confound you. In all that is happening in the world around us, He is the calm in the storm. His love is the anchor never changing. His hand is the warmth we search for when we are weary. His beauty is what we see when we turn our faces to Him.
Just as Peter turned his eyes to the Savior as he trod the Sea of Galilee, we, too, must look ever at our Lord. It was no burden to Jesus to have Peter's eyes upon Him. He wanted Peter to succeed more than even Peter wanted success. Yet, in His great wisdom, Jesus knew that Peter needed to learn to look to Him. Surely Peter remembered this lesson later and looked to Jesus even when He was no longer physically there!
I've gone through times in my life when I feel I can't see Jesus. Sometimes it seems I catch just a glimpse, but then the swell of my emotions or ambitions rise up between us and I struggle for another glimpse. Sometimes the rain of circumstances proves a heavy curtain separating us. I wonder if He is still there. Does He even care? Maybe He has grown tired of walking the stormy sea with me and has left for a warm fire and a dry set of clothes.
But that's not our Jesus. He tells us "...and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." (Matthew 28:20)
Look to Him. He's there, no matter your tribulation or despair. Keep your eyes fastened to His. Don't doubt His presence or His love for you. Just as He spoke to Peter, He speaks to us: "Be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid, Come." (Matthew 14:27)
His call is for each one of us. The answer is a decision we have to make in our own hearts. Will we trust Him? Even though the world as we have known it may be falling to pieces around our ears? Will we step onward in faith, looking only ever at Jesus as we go?
It may mean letting go of some of our inhibitions. It may mean leaving the familiar. Perhaps it will mean learning new skills to fight the doubts and fears that cloud our minds. But the call is personal. It is for you, for me. He's asking us to walk in faith upon the waves. "If you get nervous," he says, "just look at Me."
Will you go?
Have you felt nervous lately? Maybe your feelings indicator leans closer to the "scared" or "terrified" reading. I wouldn't blame you. There are numerous things crowding in around us giving us a feeling of unease. Many of us are facing unknowns. Some are trying to catch their balance after an unexpected happening. Others are mourning the loss of one they love. There are thousands trying to reconcile the invasion and tragedies happening in their homeland with the God of Love they have been told about.
Don't let the confusion confound you. In all that is happening in the world around us, He is the calm in the storm. His love is the anchor never changing. His hand is the warmth we search for when we are weary. His beauty is what we see when we turn our faces to Him.
Just as Peter turned his eyes to the Savior as he trod the Sea of Galilee, we, too, must look ever at our Lord. It was no burden to Jesus to have Peter's eyes upon Him. He wanted Peter to succeed more than even Peter wanted success. Yet, in His great wisdom, Jesus knew that Peter needed to learn to look to Him. Surely Peter remembered this lesson later and looked to Jesus even when He was no longer physically there!
I've gone through times in my life when I feel I can't see Jesus. Sometimes it seems I catch just a glimpse, but then the swell of my emotions or ambitions rise up between us and I struggle for another glimpse. Sometimes the rain of circumstances proves a heavy curtain separating us. I wonder if He is still there. Does He even care? Maybe He has grown tired of walking the stormy sea with me and has left for a warm fire and a dry set of clothes.
But that's not our Jesus. He tells us "...and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." (Matthew 28:20)
Look to Him. He's there, no matter your tribulation or despair. Keep your eyes fastened to His. Don't doubt His presence or His love for you. Just as He spoke to Peter, He speaks to us: "Be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid, Come." (Matthew 14:27)
His call is for each one of us. The answer is a decision we have to make in our own hearts. Will we trust Him? Even though the world as we have known it may be falling to pieces around our ears? Will we step onward in faith, looking only ever at Jesus as we go?
It may mean letting go of some of our inhibitions. It may mean leaving the familiar. Perhaps it will mean learning new skills to fight the doubts and fears that cloud our minds. But the call is personal. It is for you, for me. He's asking us to walk in faith upon the waves. "If you get nervous," he says, "just look at Me."
Will you go?
💟 Thank you for the reminder...and it ALWAYS works!!
ReplyDeleteThis is so timely!
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