It’s the last week before heading down to Jeffrey’s Bay: preparing, packing, making final arrangements, saying goodbyes, eating way to much of my mother’s food, dealing with emotions (mostly those of my parents) … All of this in just a few days! But the thing that keeps me preoccupied for the most of these last days, are my (lacking) funds for the year – who will help me with it, how much will they give, what more do I have to do? Then it hit me, practice what you preach, and go overboard!
Yes, you heard right, go overboard! This past Sunday, New Year’s Day, I preached in my hometown. The sermon was about Jesus walking on water, and how Peter got out of the boat, walking towards Jesus. The week preceding January 1st, 2012, saw me struggling with the text, Matthew 14:22-32. What did God want to say to the congregation, what was the message for this New Year? I was so preoccupied with the ‘them’ and the ‘congregation’, that I forgot that God doesn’t only speak through me, He also speaks to me, even when I’m the one talking.
The message was about how we have to trust in Christ, no matter how bad the storms in our lives get or how hopeless things may seem. God will not let any harm come to us, He will calm the storms in and around us. But He will also do more, and this is the awesome part. If we ask of Him, He will help us grow in our faith to be able to walk on water.
The storm was still raging around the disciples in their boat, wind blowing and waves crashing down, and still Peter had enough faith in his Lord. His faith was so strong, that he got out of the boat, stepping onto the water. Peter walked on the water – wind blowing through his hair, waves heaving up and down – and even though he only managed a few steps, those few steps that he walked on the stormy water did nothing to him (Matthew 14:29)! When he started to sink, his fears for the storm creeping back, he called out to his Saviour, and Christ was there to give a helping hand (Matthew 14:30-31). Peter went overboard with his faith, trusting in God to do the seemingly impossible.
A few days after my sermon, after receiving the umpteenth rejection for funds and support, I just gave up. People are failing me, I’m failing myself, and in that moment, where the storm became too much for me, God came and calmed the storm in me. He reminded me of my sermon; that I too had to listen! I was trusting too much in myself, trusting in other people, trying to fight the storm on my own. Yes, raising funds and support is my storm, and it seems impossible. But I am reminded off Peter and his faith, how he walked on the stormy water, and I’m encouraged to place my faith more in God. In His name I will go overboard, walking on the water. He will provide. He will calm my storm. And when it all becomes too much, His saving hands will catch me.
My wish for all the Global Challengers, the people at home base in Jeffrey’s Bay, all family and friends, supporters, and everyone following our blogs – go overboard! Go overboard with your faith in 2012! Let God calm your storms, and dare to walk side-by-side on the water with Christ our Saviour!
“We may fall over, but we shall never fall out of God’s hands.”
(A friend on Facebook)
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