“Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, ‘Master, save me!'” (Matt 14:29-30 The Message)

Living in Tucson, Arizona can be quite a thrilling experience, especially during monsoon season! In fact, the most thrilling, breath-taking roller coaster ride is nothing compared to this! For example, what used to be a dry river bed can be filled to overflowing within minutes! Not a good place for a stroll on such a day. You could get a little bit wet, and your dog would be swimming instead of running! Quite a thrilling ride, don’t you think?

Tucson also has many dips on their roads, as the desert is far from being flat. Those dips can be quite dangerous during the monsoon season! You may think, “A little water won’t hurt anything!” But driving through one can rob you of your very existence.

It happened to one man and his family who were visiting Tucson. He drove into a water-filled dip, believing it to be just a few inches of water, only to find himself being immersed by walls of rolling water. The water pressure made it impossible for him to open the door, and the electric windows wouldn’t operate in the wet conditions. In the end, he was completely swallowed up by the flash flood.

I sure wouldn’t enjoy that kind of ride. Would you?

We also face many other kinds of threats in life. Some don’t look threatening, however, and, in our minds, they may not even be worthy of a second glance. In the end however, they have the potential to completely take over your life! This is why the apostle Paul urges us to: “Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet.” (Eph 6:13 The Message)

We, as Christians, can walk on water (temptation), thanks to Jesus. We can be victorious! But if we, like Peter, pay more attention to our selves or to our circumstances rather than focussing on the Lord, we will surely sink!

The solution?

“He cried, ‘Master, save me!’ Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, ‘Faint-heart, what got into you?'” (Matt 14:30b-31 The Message)

“Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed – that exhilarating finish in and with God – he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” (Heb 12:2-3 The Message)

Did you notice that blotch of water on the road? I wonder how deep it really is! Believe me: A rubber ducky won’t help in these circumstances!

Rob Chaffart