Come

“Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away.   After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.   But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary.  And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea.  When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear.  Immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.’  Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ And He said, ‘Come!’  And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.”  Mat 14:22 – 29 NASB

One evening, while contemplating the many words that begin with the letter “C”, I heard softly and simply in my ear, “Come”.  Immediately following, the biblical account of Peter walking on the water to Jesus began to replay in my head.  I’ve always loved that story.  Many years ago, I told the Lord that I, too, wanted to have the faith and courage of Peter and step out of confined, safe places and walk the uncertain waters with my Savior.

No matter how often I read this account, I am always in awe when I consider the level of courage it must have taken for Peter to present that request to Jesus.  He could have asked Him to confirm His identity by calming the wind and sea.  Instead he asked the Lord to bid him to come, to step out into that boisterous wind and those shifty waters.  In response, all the Lord said was, “Come.”

This passage serves as a reminder to me.  Each time I read it, I reflect on my current state of affairs.  Am I heeding the voice of the Lord each time He bids me to step out of my comfort zone, onto the water with Him, by simply saying, “Come”?  Are you?