How would you answer the trivia question, who walked on water in the Bible? Easy, that would be Jesus. But who else walked on water? That would be Peter. Taking a few, tentative steps across the waves put him into an exalted class—water-walkers of the world.

Peter didn’t go very far. After a few steps the waves soaked his clothes, the wind whipped around him, and he lost his focus. He foundered. Jesus reached out and saved him, asking this simple question: O you of little faith, why did you doubt?

Peter exhibited magnificent faith by getting out of the boat. He actually walked on water in the midst of a storm all the way to Jesus. Only after his awareness shifted to his circumstances did he start to sink.

A burst of faith followed by a collapse. Such was Peter’s experience. Later he claimed he would go to his death for Jesus, then denied him three times. Up one minute, down the next, up and down, like riding a teeter-totter. Peter’s faith rose and fell as he followed Jesus.

My faith experience is much the same. Faith/doubt, faith/doubt. Depending on the circumstances I might be on the high side or the low. But that’s the life. The trick is not to always stay on the top, or to keep from bouncing off the ground, but to hold on. Questions and adversity balance with peace and understanding. Highs and lows are normal. Just keep riding.

Matthew 14:22-33

Photo by Jorge Morales