When You've Lost Your Way

I mentioned the story of Peter accepting Jesus' invitation to walk out onto the water two weeks ago when we were talking about faith, but today we reexamine the same story with a different focus.

Matthew 14:29-31:

He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

When Peter became intimidated by the winds and began to sink, crying out to Jesus to save him, Jesus did not respond like, "look at you faithless man, it's your fault that you're sinking, find a way to save yourself since you ruined my plan in the first place." Even though all of that was true, Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed Peter's hand, rescuing him before anything else.

As someone who has lost her way many times and ruined a lot of things, I know it can feel impossible to come back from. "Why would God take me back when I couldn't even trust Him?" "Why would He forgive me when I keep falling into the same temptation?" But look at Peter! He ruined this and many other things too, yet once he cried out to Jesus to save him, the Lord's hand was there.

It's so important to go back to the basics. The reason Jesus came in the first place is that God knew that we are completely incapable of saving ourselves! He wants us to call out to Him, and once we do, He will definitely be there. Romans 10:13 clearly states, "For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”"

Don't hesitate. The Lord is ever merciful, and His heart toward you is love. He wants you to come back, no matter how far you think you've gone, just call His name.

Peace and love of Christ be with you all!