Eyes On Jesus
Scripture Reading — Matthew 14:22-32
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
On Monday nights my wife and I often join with a group of people and drive harness horses at a local stable. When I’m in the seat of a wagon, holding the lines and controlling the horses, it seems so simple and natural. It feels like I could do it forever. But when I stop to think about what we are doing—with large, powerful horses tied only by straps to each other and pulling a heavy wagon that several people are riding in—I get scared. Then I start thinking about everything that could go wrong, and I want to get out of the wagon right away. When I stop focusing on what I’m doing and take my eyes off the goal, I start to sink and get afraid.
Peter was walking toward Jesus on the water. He was doing it! And then he realized what was going on around him. He took his eyes off Jesus, became afraid, and began to sink.
How often in our faith journey do we take our eyes off Jesus? We easily get focused on other things, and we lose sight of who Jesus is and what his plans for us are. And then we, like Peter, become afraid and begin to sink.
Jesus is there, though, reaching out to us in the middle of the storm. Even in our deepest fear, he reaches out to us, grabs hold of us, and brings us back to where we belong.
Savior God, when we take our eyes off you and begin to sink, reach out and take hold of us. Calm our fears and bring us back to you. Amen.
About the author — Bret Lamsma
Bret Lamsma is Director of Faith Formation at First Church in Denver, Colorado, and has served churches in Michigan and California in youth, emerging adult, inter-generational, and educational ministries. Bret and his wife, Julie, have two children, and he enjoys hiking, disc golfing, and cheering for the Chicago Cubs.
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