There are so many times in our lives when we lose focus of what our goal and purpose is. Last night I was reminded about Peter walking on the water and how he lost focus.
Matthew 14:22-36 reads …
As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night.
Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. “A ghost!” they said, crying out in terror.
But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.”
Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come ahead.”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!”
Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?”
The two of them climbed into the boat, and the wind died down. The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, “This is it! You are God’s Son for sure!”
On return, they beached the boat at Gennesaret. When the people got wind that he was back, they sent out word through the neighborhood and rounded up all the sick, who asked for permission to touch the edge of his coat. And whoever touched him was healed.
The Bible says “Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand.” This tells me that Peter had literally walked all the way out to Jesus and when he was literally just foot or two away he lost focus.
How many times have you taken a step of faith and while hearing the voice of God, only to get literally feet away from the goal when fear takes you down?
The waves always get a little rough when we are in the Will of God and in those moments satans goal is to get us to take our eyes off God … even just for a second.
As we approach the New Year, I want to encourage you to “Keep Focused”. Keep your eyes on Him. If Peter had just stayed focused of God, fear would have never had the opportunity to shake him up.
We are social beings. God created us to respond and relate to others. Even in the mothers womb one could argue that we are socially aware and needing interaction with the outside world. For this reason, I personally believe that it is imperative that every church has a small group opportunity for kids. 