Driven and tossed by the sea

This is a bit of a reflection on the past week at Many Farms, AZ where the church sent a team of us to serve alongside the Pastor there, as well as the Navajo people.

In the mornings we had Vacation Bible School for the children up to highschool, but the oldest that came was entering 9th grade, which was fine. I was given the opportunity to teach the 7-8th graders. The overall theme for VBS this summer was Follow! Worship! Live through HIM!
Chronicling the life of Peter, and the impact of his calling by Christ, and how he worshipped Jesus.

One of the days, we were talking about Peter walking on water. Simple enough story right? Many people have heard it before, Jesus walked on water towards a fishing boat, the people on the boat were scared and didn't realize it was Jesus, Jesus said don't be afraid, and Peter asks Jesus to allow him to walk on water. Basic bible story. Well known.

Here's the passage from Matt 14:22-33

• ²²Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. ²³And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, ²⁴but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. ²⁵And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. ²⁶But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. ²⁷But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."
• ²⁸And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." ²⁹He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. ³⁰But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." ³¹Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" ³²And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

1. Jesus is Lord
2. Jesus is Savior

Both based on Peter's response when he started to sink. Definitely a good focus for the passage. One by the commandment of Christ and the authority that Christ had, He is Lord. And when Peter cried out to Jesus as "Lord" Peter recognized Christ as Lord.

As for "Jesus is Savior" it comes down to one question, would you cry out for help to someone you know is NOT going to help you? No. You wouldn't You would yell "SAVE ME" to people you know would hear you and would be ABLE to save you. The recognition of Christ's ability to save Peter acknowledges Jesus Christ as Savior.

Last point. not in the two numbers. but if you notice... Peter started sinking...
It didn't happen spontaneously. Look again. "But when he[Peter] saw the wind..."
This is the point at which Peter lost focus. Before Peter was focused on ONE thing and that was Jesus. Once the eye contact broke, and Peter focused more on the wind and the waves... he was beginning to sink.

How much like Peter are we. That once we start losing focus on Jesus Christ... we ourselves begin to sink.

Post missions blog might seem out of place but for me at least, it seems very relevant.

Every morning last week, I woke up with the sole intent and purpose of serving and loving my God and the people that He loves. Can I truly say that a week later? back at school, back among my friends, back at work... in the comfort of my own bedroom or apt.

Am I waking up every morning with the sole intent and purpose of serving and loving my God? Or have I lost focus like Peter? and now beginning to sink back into the world....?