Matthew 14:22-33
When [Peter] noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” -Matthew 14:30-31 (NRSVUE)
In the late 1940s, my family took the only vacation of my childhood. My father could not take regular vacations because of his job, but one year we went to a nearby lake and campsite to enjoy the outdoors away from our city in upstate New York.
One day my brother and I were floating on the lake on large black inner tubes. We were enjoying ourselves until we floated out past the designated swimming area and could no longer see the bottom of the lake. We panicked and called for our father. Fortunately, Dad was able to reach us and pull us to safety.
Remembering this event from my childhood made me think of when Jesus rescued Peter from sinking as he walked on water. We cannot save ourselves without Jesus’ help. But how many times have we failed to trust in him, not reaching out for his saving hand? Just as my father came to my rescue on the lake, when we experience troubled waters, Jesus is our lifeline and Savior. When we are floating aimlessly in life, we can call out to Jesus. He will pull us back to his loving care.
Prayer: Loving Savior, thank you for rescuing us from the deep waters. We trust that you are our constant lifeline. Amen.
Thought for the day: Jesus can rescue me from troubled waters.
Jim Seymour (New York, USA)
