Think back on your life experiences, and search for a time that, in retrospect, is identifiable as one where God really carried you through or was working toward a future goal that just wasn't clear at the time. Was it a time where God's Power was extraordinarily evident in the situation? Was it a time where His presence was a mere whisper?
I can recall a time, years ago, when it just seemed critical that God work a revival in our country. I know I'm not the only one who has ever prayed for revival. Fast forward to 2009, and I hear news that in these hard economic times, more and more people are seeking guidance from the Church. Coincidence? I think not.
My advice... listen for the whisper.
"Attempt the Impossible" from Facing the Giants is a lesson in putting our fears aside with respect to facing seemingly impossible situations in life. If you see tough situations as obstacles rather than opportunities, you ultimately are relying too much on your own strength to accomplish the task. Instead, your faith should lead you to step out and meet the challenge head-on, knowing the Power of God is behind you.
The lesson we have from scripture is that of Jesus walking on the water out to the disciples who are caught out in a boat during a storm. The disciples saw Jesus walking out to them, but feared it was a ghost. Peter, is his impulsive wisdom, asks "If it is you Lord, command me to come out onto the water with you." Jesus calls him, and he walks on the water with Jesus. However, when faced with the reality of the winds and the storm. Peter begins to sink into the water... and calls out for help.
What impossible task are you being called to fulfill?
- Love your enemy
- Pray for those who persecute you
- Store up treasure in heaven
- Stop worrying about your life
- Be loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled
Sounds easy you say? Without the Holy Spirit, these things are impossible. They are the crux of the Law, and the standard God calls us to. We can't even turn to God on our own strength...
I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ.
- Martin Luther's Explanation of the Third Article of the Apostle's Creed (on Sanctification)
In faith, the impossible tasks above are possible. Christ works in and through us to accomplish them. This is where we can look at our scripture passage, and glean from two observations:
- Peter was not weak in his faith. He was the only guy to get out of the boat.
- Don't focus on how Peter started to sink, rather, focus on the fact that he walked on the water.
In our baptism, Jesus calls us all out of the boat onto the water with Him. His mercy is an active miracle in our daily lives. At the same time, our nature is ever-opposing the Spirit, and that is when we, like Peter, see the storm and doubt, rather than hold fast to the truth of the miracle that is our every step.
If we can live each day in faith, knowing that God will work in us in any situation, then we don't have to worry about the outcome. It is in His hands.