Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)

This song was in playing in my head this morning as I lay in bed, newly awake, getting ready to start my day.  I could hear the rain coming down outside our bedroom window, and the haunting melodies of this beautiful piece started winding its way into my clarifying consciousness.

Do you believe in yourself?  What is that thing in your life today that your Faith is drawing you towards?

Hillsong United has a huge selection of beautiful music, ranging from hand-clapping, arm-raising praise songs to this quiet and beautiful prayer. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUCtfsyI-5I)

“You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand”

In Matthew 14:22-33, we see Jesus walking on the water and how Peter uses his faith to step out of the boat, joining Jesus.  As many of you know, I love Peter because of his blatant human-ness as a human mess.  As you read about him through the Gospels, there are so many times when he missteps, says the wrong thing or jumps to the wrong conclusions.  Sound like someone you know?  I see him when I look in the mirror every day.

Peter sees Jesus on the water:

“But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’
‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’ 

‘Come,’ he said. 

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’ 

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’ ”

I think the most interesting and beautiful part of this story is Jesus’ words to Peter: “You of little faith.  Why did you doubt?”  You could read this and Jesus chastising Peter for not believing in Him strongly enough, causing Peter to sink under the waves.  But I think this is Jesus saying to Peter, “Why did you lose faith in yourself?  I believe in you, why can’t you believe in you?”

“Oceans” continues:

“So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior”

In spite of all the ways we fall short every day to live up to the life God has called us into, when we doubt ourselves, when we reject Jesus, He still calls to us.  He knows all and sees all, and even being the mess that we are, He desires to be in relationship with us and have us represent Him to those around us.  We just need to step out of the boat and believe in Him.

So, step out in faith.  Walk on water.  Jesus believes in you.