Confidence

Today's Gospel reads: “…During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea.  When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.  ‘It is a ghost,’ they said, and they cried out in fear.  At once Jesus spoke to them, ‘Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.’  Peter said to him in reply, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’  He said, ‘Come.’  

Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.  But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’  Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

Confidence!  That’s what it takes to succeed – to overcome shortfalls and limitations by going above and beyond because we believe we can.   We can accomplish more than we think when we have confidence in ourselves.  That confidence can come with faith in Jesus – not that we can walk on water, but that he tells us, “Come, and if you sink I will catch you.” 

Of course, there are many times when we think he’ll need a big net to do that catching.  A simple hand-catch won’t do it.  Still, at the very least, he’ll point out the rocks under water on which we can step.  He shows us the way even when the path isn’t clear and the winds are blowing.

Deacon David Pierce