A Note of Encouragement

from Ciloa

 

  

 



Beautiful sunset reflected in clouds over a lake

You are my refuge and fortress,
my God in whom I trust!

 

 

 

 
Where do you run?
Volume XV, Issue 36 
September 7, 2015 
Recently I had lunch at a lakeside café. From my table I could see a pool surrounded by occupied lounge chairs, children playing on a sandy beach, and boats rushing across open water.
 
Then I noticed a rubbery sheet floating on the lake. It was about 6 feet by 20 feet with a raft at one end. Children climbed aboard the raft and, one by one, walked onto the sheet...which did not sink!
 
It looked as if they were walking on the water. They jumped and laughed, then dove into the lake. Everyone was having a great time. Well, almost. One little boy refused to leave the raft.
 
A lady swam to the far end and urged him to come to her. After much coaxing, he tentatively stepped onto the sheet. Then he took another step. Boldly he walked farther, almost to the lady.
 
Suddenly a gust of wind blew along the shore. The boy turned and saw a chair tumbling along the beach. Forgetting the safety of the lady nearby, he ran all the way back to the raft.
 
Something similar happened years ago as the Disciples crossed the Sea of Galilee. The water was rough and waves bashed the side of the boat. Then Jesus came toward them...walking on the water!
 
Peter called out, Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water (Matthew 14:28). When Jesus commanded him to come, Peter got out of the boat. What happened next was incredible.
 
Peter walked on the water! His feet probably got wet, but he did not sink. The water rose and fell, but he did not fall in. Waves still beat against the boat...yet Peter continued to walk on the water.
 
Then something frightened Peter. It wasn't the turbulent sea or the crashing waves. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" (v. 30b).
 
I've been in rough seas. My eyes focused on the water, checking the size and direction of the waves. Such things did not bother Peter. Calm water on the Sea of Galilee is rare. Instead, he was frightened when he saw the wind. But what does that mean? No one can actually see the wind.
 
Peter's boat was likely a shallow, wooden vessel with a large sail in the midsection used for crossing great distances. As a fisherman, he would have been an able sailor. And for sailors, seeing the wind refers to observing the effect of the air on the sails.
 
Wind on the Sea of Galilee is unpredictable and dangerous. When Peter saw the wind, he was looking at his sail. Perhaps he remembered the wind's strength or thought a storm had come upon them and would drive the boat away. But that is not why we've been told that he saw the wind.
 
For Peter to see the wind...to notice the condition of his sail...he had to look away from Jesus. Peter turned to what man had built for his safety and away from the only One who could guarantee it.
 
We often do the same. Times become rough. We're bashed about on all sides. And in our despair, we turn from God, run in the opposite direction, and try to solve our own problems.
 
What about you? When storms come into your life, where do you run? Where do you seek safety?
 
Keep me safe, my God, for in You I take refuge. Psalm 16:1.

Take care & be God's,

 

Chuck
Ciloa - Encourage One Another
   
Please consider
Ciloa
in your charitable giving.
Just click  MyCiloa!

 

 

 Ciloa is a registered trademark of Ciloa, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

A Note of Encouragement is a copyright interest held by Ciloa, Inc.


Sign up for A Note of Encouragement

 

Christ  Is  Lord  Of  All ... Ciloa
  
Follow us at


 Find us on Facebook         Follow us on Twitter

  


  Ciloa, Inc.     Lawrenceville, Georgia, U.S.A.     www.Ciloa.org