I guess when you are walking on water you should expect to be hit with some waves. What concerns me is that the waves are strange waves. You think you are walking on the "sea of trusting God for a job", when a wave from the "sea of relationships" hits you. And then while trying to work through the shock of that cold wet blast a wave from the "sea of finances" slaps your legs from behind. The variety of waves makes it very difficult to continue walking towards the Savior staying focused on Him.
It would be nice if the walk on water was a bit more predictable. If I could anticipate the next wave I could prepare myself better for the oncoming splash. I could prepare my mind for the shocking chill. I could brace my legs for the force of the wave. I could put on rubber high-top boots so my pants wouldn't get wet. I would be able to handle the waves if I knew they were coming.
But then again, perhaps the point of walking on water is not that I prepare myself for every uncertainty. In fact I am sure that the very purpose of water walking is that I be in a place of uncertainty so that my vision would be focused on the ONE certain thing in my walk, Jesus Christ.
Even in writing this blog I can see the uncertainty of it all. I had an idea that I was going to write about how Satan wanted to get my eyes off Jesus by sending unfamiliar waves my way. But now I can see that perhaps these new waves from unexpected seas are not from Satan but probably from God. He knows my tendency and desire to prepare myself for rogue waves. But that is the problem isn't it? In preparing myself I take my sight off the one who must have my gaze. I must begin every moment focusing on my Savior. I must completely surrender to His training and leading. I must surrender, follow, and repeat on a regular basis. The rogue waves are just His reminder that He is preparing me to walk the water of faith in Him.
This is not to say that I don't learn from the rogue waves that He sends my way and walk on water in such a way that the waves do not swamp me. I do learn from these waves and place even more faith in the One who leads me. And I now know that the waves, as unexpected, wet, and cold as they might be, are part of the walking on water that my wonderful Savior has called me to experience with Him.
Walking on Water
Rick
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
There is a Storm Brewing
In the accounts of Jesus walking on water, there was a strong wind that was creating a difficult journey for the disciples. These were seasoned fishermen who knew the sea of Galilee well. There is no sense in the passages that the disciples are afraid of the wind as they struggle against the oars. Their fear comes when they see Jesus walking on the water.
So why is it that the Matthew passage points out that Peter started to sink when he saw the wind? Obviously he had increased his vulnerability by stepping out of the boat. He no longer had the protection of the fishing boat. He had left the familiar and now was trusting in only Jesus to keep him safe. His cry, "Lord, save me" is evidence that he knew where his safety resided. I imagine he could have just as easily cried, "John, (or Andrew, Phillip, Judas) save me". I mean, they were right there in a safe boat weren't they? Perhaps they were even closer to Peter than the Lord was.
Peter sees the wind and cries out to the Lord for help. Before stepping out of the boat he was well aware of the wind, but stepping out heightened the fear and need for a strong savior.
Stepping out in faith will not make things easier or safer. But it will heighten the awareness of a need for a savior.
I knew twelve months ago that a storm was brewing in my life. I felt the winds of change at Desert Hills. It was obvious to me that with the coming of a new sr. pastor there would not be any financial possibility to keep me on full time as the Christian education pastor. But trusting in God meant that I could head into the storm knowing things would be fine. Sure, the wind is difficult to row against, but I am a seasoned child of God. I have seen Him step in time after time to save me. I am doing all I can to continue walking on the water. But I am sure the journey will get more intense as I get further from the boat.
Right now I have my resume in at a couple of churches and with some secular opportunities as well. The winds are getting stronger but my Lord is still there calling me to come to Him. And although I know the situation will get worse before it gets better it is wonderful to know that I can cry out "LORD, save me!"
So why is it that the Matthew passage points out that Peter started to sink when he saw the wind? Obviously he had increased his vulnerability by stepping out of the boat. He no longer had the protection of the fishing boat. He had left the familiar and now was trusting in only Jesus to keep him safe. His cry, "Lord, save me" is evidence that he knew where his safety resided. I imagine he could have just as easily cried, "John, (or Andrew, Phillip, Judas) save me". I mean, they were right there in a safe boat weren't they? Perhaps they were even closer to Peter than the Lord was.
Peter sees the wind and cries out to the Lord for help. Before stepping out of the boat he was well aware of the wind, but stepping out heightened the fear and need for a strong savior.
Stepping out in faith will not make things easier or safer. But it will heighten the awareness of a need for a savior.
I knew twelve months ago that a storm was brewing in my life. I felt the winds of change at Desert Hills. It was obvious to me that with the coming of a new sr. pastor there would not be any financial possibility to keep me on full time as the Christian education pastor. But trusting in God meant that I could head into the storm knowing things would be fine. Sure, the wind is difficult to row against, but I am a seasoned child of God. I have seen Him step in time after time to save me. I am doing all I can to continue walking on the water. But I am sure the journey will get more intense as I get further from the boat.
Right now I have my resume in at a couple of churches and with some secular opportunities as well. The winds are getting stronger but my Lord is still there calling me to come to Him. And although I know the situation will get worse before it gets better it is wonderful to know that I can cry out "LORD, save me!"
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Back to the Beginning
In 2003 I was asked to plant a new church in the South Mountain area of Phoenix Arizona. At that time I had just read If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat by John Ortberg. It had a profound effect on my thinking. As part of my desire to demonstrate my willingness to do faith stretching action I started signing all my email correspondence with the salutation; Walking on Water!
Planting Desert Mosaic was a water walking experience. After three years of hard work, fun ministry, amazing surprises and new wonderful friends, the church closed. I found myself trusting God in even bigger ways. I was working at Target and going into debt and losing my house. It seemed that I was sinking. Then a hand reached out to me on the water and helped me stand again on the water. I was called to serve at Desert Hills, a position I didn't even know was available.
This reminded me of the phone call I recieved from Phoenix Christian High School after graduating from seminary. They also offered me a job which I had no idea was available. After working at PCHS for three years, I was offered a job at First EFC in Tucson and although this time I knew about the job. I didn't think I had a chance of getting it.
All through my life I have seen God provide for me in extrodinary ways. And now again I find I must walk on water again! Desert Hills has hired a new senior pastor and does not have the finances to keep me on the payroll as well. I am awaiting God's hand to reach out to me. I am not sinking yet and hopefully won't come to that point but I am walking on water and waiting to see what God will present to me.
He has always provided and I know He will this time as well.
Still Walking on Water,
Rick
Planting Desert Mosaic was a water walking experience. After three years of hard work, fun ministry, amazing surprises and new wonderful friends, the church closed. I found myself trusting God in even bigger ways. I was working at Target and going into debt and losing my house. It seemed that I was sinking. Then a hand reached out to me on the water and helped me stand again on the water. I was called to serve at Desert Hills, a position I didn't even know was available.
This reminded me of the phone call I recieved from Phoenix Christian High School after graduating from seminary. They also offered me a job which I had no idea was available. After working at PCHS for three years, I was offered a job at First EFC in Tucson and although this time I knew about the job. I didn't think I had a chance of getting it.
All through my life I have seen God provide for me in extrodinary ways. And now again I find I must walk on water again! Desert Hills has hired a new senior pastor and does not have the finances to keep me on the payroll as well. I am awaiting God's hand to reach out to me. I am not sinking yet and hopefully won't come to that point but I am walking on water and waiting to see what God will present to me.
He has always provided and I know He will this time as well.
Still Walking on Water,
Rick
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)