From Peter’s Perspective | A Fresh Approach to God’s Word

“I wonder where Jesus is?”

The thought crossed my mind as I tried to hold the oar steady against the beating waves. It was unusually rough on the Sea of Galilee and we were working just to stay afloat. Then again, my mind felt a lot like the sea—in turmoil.

Our brother, John the Baptist, was just beheaded and it caused all of us to become concerned. Will our fate be the same as his?

As I wrestled these questions, my mind drifted to the hillside earlier in the day.

I still can’t understand how the baskets never emptied. There were only five loaves of bread and two fish, I counted them myself. Yet as I handed out the bread myself, my basket stayed full. There must have been five thousand people there.

“Peter keep up,” James yelled.

I was falling behind in my rowing as the rest of the men fought against the sea. My mind has a tendency to wander as I consider the things I’m seeing. Sometimes I look on in wonder at the miracles, but other times I wrestle with doubt. Since I have decided to follow Jesus, I can’t explain what I feel or what I see with my logical mind. It’s difficult to comprehend it all. Is He really the Son of God?

It is an inexpressible and glorious joy to consider that He is the awaited Messiah. But look at Him. There’s nothing kingly about him, and He’s from Nazareth. But He was born in Bethlehem. I know these stories seem, well, cleverly invented, but I’m watching them with my own two eyes. Would my eyes deceive me?

My thoughts were interrupted by the figure of a man just off the stern of the boat. Terror swept over me. We were miles from shore. I tightened my gaze, rubbed my eyes and looked again. The others yelled, “It’s a ghost.”

As the figure came into focus, I saw that it wasn’t a ghost. It was Jesus.

My eyes widened and my entire body was engulfed with a chill. It was as if lightening was rushing through my skin. The hair stood up on my arms and the back of my neck felt cool.

Jesus was walking on the water.

Before I could compose myself, Jesus spoke, “Take courage!  It is I!  Don’t be afraid.”

I hardly considered His words as I replied, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.”

My eagerness hadn’t considered what I’d just said. But there wasn’t time to give it second thought.

“Come,” he said.

I accepted His invitation. My eyes stayed fixated on my Lord as I moved to step out of the boat. I never felt my foot touch anything. It’s as if I were walking on air. His presence as he held my gaze. It always had. He had an undeniable presence that spoke to the deepest part of my being. It was a welcoming mix of strength and humility. I even noticed a slight smile as I drew near.

At that moment, a gust of wind rushed over me and I felt a wave lap against my leg. I quickly came to my senses and turned my gaze back on the boat. The others were staring at me. Time began to speed up and my mind began racing. I was a good distance from the boat and the intensity of the wind pushed against my face. Suddenly, fear gripped my legs as if it were pulling me down. I felt myself fall into the darkness. I was sinking. The waves began to overtake me, but just before I went under my heart reminded me that Jesus was nearby.

I cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Before the words left my mouth, I felt a strong grip on my arm. It was Jesus, pulling me toward Himself. My eyes fixed on His as he looked at me and said:

“You of little faith. Why did you doubt?”

If you find yourself like Peter, getting distracted by the circumstances of life and battling the truth that God’s Word contains, consider a new perspective.

Peter was a man, just like you and me, and God used him in a mighty way. That’s the beauty of God’s promise—He uses us if we would only have faith.

Regardless of where you are today, rest in Jesus’s words from Matthew 14:

“Take courage! It is I! Don’t be afraid” (vs. 27)
“Come” (vs. 29)

MH

, , , , ,

23 Responses to From Peter’s Perspective | A Fresh Approach to God’s Word

  1. Silvana Schasfoort January 11, 2014 at 8:52 am #

    Love it!! You are such a great writer! Thanks for sharing!

    • Matt Ham January 11, 2014 at 8:53 am #

      Thanks Silvana! I appreciate you following!

  2. annepeterson January 11, 2014 at 8:58 am #

    That was great! Had to tweet and share.

    • Matt Ham January 11, 2014 at 8:59 am #

      Wow Anne! Thanks so much – I really appreciate you stopping by!

  3. Stan S, Alabama January 11, 2014 at 3:09 pm #

    I love that perspective Matt! Well done…again. Blessings!

    • Matt Ham January 11, 2014 at 3:16 pm #

      Thanks for stopping by Stan! It’s easy to forget that God’s work was carried out by guys just like us!

  4. palmers1 January 11, 2014 at 6:17 pm #

    I love the book of Matthew, and I love the faith of Peter. Thank you for painting Peter’s lesson so beautifully!

    • Matt Ham January 11, 2014 at 6:56 pm #

      Thanks Jaclyn! I naturally am a little partial to Matthew myself 🙂

  5. Amy Nabors January 11, 2014 at 9:06 pm #

    Beautiful. What a great way to learn something new from a passage.

  6. Amy Nabors January 11, 2014 at 9:11 pm #

    Beautiful. This is such a great way to get a new perspective and hear from God through a passage.

    • Matt Ham January 11, 2014 at 9:23 pm #

      Thanks Amy!! I’m so glad you enjoyed the perspective

  7. Melinda Lancaster (@heartcures) January 12, 2014 at 1:11 am #

    I really enjoyed this post. A change of perspective can do a world of good. Nice application at the close as well.

    • Matt Ham January 12, 2014 at 6:58 am #

      Great Melinda, so glad you did – thank you for your encouragement. Sometimes a little perspective changes everything, doesn’t it?

  8. ljandrie57 January 12, 2014 at 2:16 am #

    The simplicity of your story telling made this a thoughtful read. Thank you. I have often found looking at scripture as if through the characters that interacted there helps my faith.

    • Matt Ham January 12, 2014 at 6:56 am #

      It certainly helped mine! Thank you for stopping by and following!

  9. Rod Semple January 12, 2014 at 7:06 am #

    Hey Matt, Kindred spirit. I’m so grateful our paths have crossed. Today I sat down finished my 500 words before breakfast. This evening I faced one of the fears I have been putting off for weeks. The first draft of a blog to be relaunched within the next week or so. Blessings to you and your beautiful family. Sincerely, Rod

    • Matt Ham January 12, 2014 at 7:19 am #

      Ron this makes my heart smile! I encourage you to hear His invitation as He says, “Why did you doubt, Come.” All the while, I am in a similar spot. I have a lot of projects ongoing as I prepare for my book release (whenever that would be 😉 In the waiting, I begin to feel so anxious about the story not being told and I focus so much on the end outcome I want. Yet, I lose focus that He’s moving everyday! Thank YOU for YOUR encouragement!

      Is there anyway I can help you? Or any questions you may have? Feel free to ask away!

    • Matt Ham January 12, 2014 at 7:21 am #

      Also Rod – remember that word ‘LAUNCH’!

  10. Dan Black January 15, 2014 at 2:27 am #

    Great re-write! Powerful stuff.

    • Matt Ham January 15, 2014 at 2:45 am #

      Hey Dan! Thanks a ton for the encouragement and for stopping by – I really appreciate it!

  11. Billy Beasley October 4, 2014 at 9:27 am #

    Very good stuff here..I love that you keep it real.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Who is God Pulling For in the Super Bowl? | Matt Ham - February 1, 2014

    […] pulling for the people who, deep down, hope for another truth than the continued negativity the media floods into our living […]

  2. Questions for Daddy: What a Three Year Old Taught Me About God | Matt Ham - February 8, 2014

    […] God bless you and keep you and may his face shine upon you." Matt Related Posts: Doubt and Fear / Seeking Saturday – Why Do You Doubt? Parenting / Investing in Your Children Inspiration / Words From Your Father, "Why Not You?" […]