For a while I’ve felt like I’ve been lacking faith.
You’ve probably felt that way too at some point in your life.
We probably all have.
It reassures me a little that I’m not alone.

And it’s really got me thinking, as I struggle to believe.
As I don’t “feel” like I “believe”.

As I shared this with my favourite pastor monday evening; he told me something I will never forget:

“Feelings are fleeting” – He told me, “Naomi, just the fact that you are coming and telling me this shows me your faith”. He told me “Faith is Action. Taking a step out. That’s faith.” It’s not about feeling belief – “we can’t drum ourselves up, to feel belief” – It’s about the actions we take in faith – cause feelings are fleeting. The prayers we pray regardless how we feel – that’s faith.

And for some reason, as soon as he said “take a step out” I thought of Peter on that boat.

Here’s how the story goes:

Matthew 14:22-33 ESV

Jesus Walks on the Water

22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Truth be told, for some reason, every time I’ve read this before, I’ve thought to myself – How did Peter have so little faith when Jesus was standing right there in front of him? And perhaps, if I’m to be honest, I even do a little “tsk tsk” at Peter in my head, and shake my head in disbelief.

Now, I read this exact same story with a fresh perspective!

While all the other disciples cried out it’s a ghost, PETER – was the ONLY one who took the courage to seek the Lord in their disbelief! He said, “Lord! IF it’s really you, tell me to come to you walking on the water.”

From their perspective, in the storm, Jesus looked like a ghost. Yet Peter, took courage. And obeyed Jesus’ call “Yes, come”.

Before we get to the part where Peter was terrified and began to sink… I want to dwell on the fact – that Peter – stepped out of that boat – that Peter – WALKED on WATER. We all have heard  that Jesus walked on water. In fact, the miracle is mentioned so often that people of every religion have heard that Jesus walked on water. But did you know that PETER WALKED ON WATER.

In fact, even in the moment that he became terrified, perhaps as he saw the strong wind and came to realize in disbelief that he, Peter, is walking on water – He continued to trust that Jesus is Lord. He cried out, “Save me, Lord!”

And while I’ve read this story so often and shook my head in disbelief at Peter’s lack of faith; I now read it with fresh perspective and marvel at his Faith – his Faith in Action – that he trusted Jesus, and stepped off that boat and actually walked on water at Jesus’ command, despite his only natural human disbelief in himself.

Jesus promised,

John 14:12-14 NLT

12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!

Prayer

Father, I pray, that even when I don’t feel faith, that I would step out in obedience to Your call.
That I would Act in Faith, even when my feelings of disbelief are overwhelming.
That I may continue to trust that You are Lord and that doesn’t change.
God I realize, You are not asking me to believe in myself, in my limited faith.
You are asking me to trust in You – in Your never ending love.