Matthew 14:28-31 “‘Lord if it is you’, Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water’. ‘Come’, he said. Then Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith’, he said, ‘why did you doubt?'” NIV

I have suffered on and off from depression since I was about ten years of age. My depression is caused from a hereditary dietary problem; the two things go hand in hand. I can be fine for days or weeks or months and then the darkness descends, washing over me, its creeping fingers wrapping about my thoughts, emotions and physical strength seeking to drown me in the depths of discouragement and despair. There have been times, when under continual stress, I needed medication to help me rise to the surface again; a remedy which I believe comes from God who has blessed physicians with the wisdom to know when to prescribe. Mostly however the Lord has taught me that when the waters of darkness begin to flow I must simply cling to his hand of truth.

The apostle Paul wrote to the Colossians: “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” Col 2:6-8 NIV

Living in Christ Jesus as Lord, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith, overflowing with thankfulness and not giving way to human traditions and the basic principles of this world, is an everyday miracle. It is an everyday miracle which allows me as well as everyone else who truly believes to walk upon the waters amidst the storms of life no matter how rough or frightening they may be.

This does not mean that when times of flood come that we will not struggle against their tide. What it does mean is that we don’t have to be drowned by the struggle of our emotions, thoughts or circumstances. For when we reach out to Christ Jesus as Lord, his hand is always there to pull us up out of the drink; to allow us to experience the everyday miracle of walking by faith upon the seas of life instead of sinking amidst them.

Prayer: Father God, thank you for the everyday miracle of life: being rooted and established in Christ Jesus, strengthened in the faith, overflowing with thanksgiving and not giving way to the deceptive philosophy which depends on human tradition and basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. Bless us this day to continue in our faith that we may not sink but walk upon the seas of life whatever they may bring our way. In Christ’s name we ask. Amen.

Lynne Phipps
Atlin, B.C.