“No training wheels.” Ginger apprehensively whispered looking at her new pink bike. Smiling, her dad held it steadily, “You can do this Ginger. Climb on up.” Gently she threw her leg over the bike and slipped her feet onto the pedals.
“Don’t look down,” he encouraged, “Just look ahead at mom and move the pedals.” Ginger began to slowly pedal with her dad holding the bike. Focusing on her mom ahead she gradually pedaled faster and faster.
Feeling confident she looked around at her surroundings. “Ahhh!” she screamed noticing that her dad was not holding on, but running behind her! The bike wobbled then leaned sharply to the side. Immediately her dad reached out catching her before she hit the ground. Lovingly her dad advised, “You can do this. Next time just keep focusing ahead.”
REMEMBER LEARNING TO RIDE A BIKE?
As we learned, what happened? At least once we all lost our balance and fell! I know that I did!
Then like Ginger, all the fears engulfed us. It took our parents’ encouragement and advice to give us the courage to reluctantly face our fears. Then with a huge smile, we successfully rode a 2- wheel bike!
We may no longer need to learn to ride a bike, but there are times when we need faith to face our fears. Many persons in the Bible had to face their fears too. Peter was one on them.
Remember the story of Peter walking on the water in Matthew 14:25-33? The disciples’ boat was being tossed about in a stormy sea. Then they saw Jesus walking on the water towards them. Fearing it was a ghost, they cowered until Jesus announced it was He. However, Peter wanted assurance.
“Lord if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
So He (Jesus) said come.
And when Peter had come down out of the boat,
he walked on the water to go to Jesus,”
Matthew 14:28-29
DID YOU CATCH THAT?
Peter asked Jesus to command him to come on the water! What faith! Peter didn’t plan on taking a swim. He planned on walking on the water!
Peter knew that if Jesus could do it, Jesus would enable Peter to do it, too. Peter didn’t stop to consider the obstacles the stormy sea imposed or focus on the fear it invoked. He enthusiastically stepped onto the water and in faith focused only on Jesus.
Our focus affects our faith just like our faith affects our focus.
You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You,
Isaiah 26:3
When Ginger was focused on her mom, she had the faith to ride her bike confidently. However, the literal downfall of both Ginger and Peter came when they moved their focus to their surroundings. Like Ginger, when Peter looked around and remembered the impossibility of his feat, his fears took control and down he went.
The affect of Peter’s focus on Jesus was to strengthen his faith and walk on water. The affect of Peter’s focus on his fears and surroundings was to diminish his faith causing him to sink.
What was impossible for Peter was only possible with a focus on and faith in Jesus.
But Jesus looked at them and said to them,
“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible,”
Matthew 19:26
WHEN PETER WAS SINKING,
HOW DID JESUS REACT?
Jesus could have thrown up His hand in disgust and let Peter sink. But He didn’t. Like Ginger’s dad lovingly caught her as she fell, Jesus lovingly caught Peter.
But when he (Peter) saw that the wind was boisterous,
he was afraid and beginning to sink he cried out saying,
Lord save me!
And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand
and caught him and said to him,
O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Matthew 14:30
Was Jesus’ response a strong reprimand? I don’t think it was.
I believe that Jesus responded like Ginger’s father lovingly advising Peter to prevent falls by further developing his faith. At the same time, Jesus’ actions demonstrated His love encouraging Peter that He would always be there to catch him if he fell.
HOW ABOUT US?
We may no longer need to learn to ride a bike, or ever walk on water, but there are times when we all need faith to face our fears. As problems hit us like a boisterous storm, we can have faith to cry out to Jesus knowing that He is there for us.
Jesus is not there shouting words expressing disgust or disappointment. He is there with loving advice and encouragement catching us if we stumble or fall.
With our focus on Jesus,
we can have the faith
to face our fears
as we walk through the storms.
I can do all things
through Christ who strengthens me,
Philippians 4:13
REFLECTION
What is your focus?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, as I write Matthew 19:26 and say it aloud, help me to stay focused on you and have faith to walk through even the impossible storms. In Jesus name. Amen.
IN FAITH FOCUS ON JESUS
Comment!
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Bike photo, seanwareing
Jesus photo, Ken_Thief
Girl photo, Ebi Libedinsky
