READY. SET. GO. Remember shouting those words when you were a
child playing games? It was your cue to
do something. Or maybe it was ON YOUR
MARK, GET SET, GO! Then there was this
announcement . . . READY OR NOT – HERE I COME!
Sometimes it was just game time – and yet we wanted to win. Who wants to lose? Other times we knew we were in a competition
and we sensed the weight of the outcome … was at least partially on our young
shoulders. Yes, times were simpler then;
at least for us as children. Yet the
concept of “ready, set, go” was influencing our mindset for far greater things
to come. As grounded on the Rock as I’d
like to think I am, there are days when the swirling waves of tasks just about
suck me under. Just above the noise of
the constant swishing, I hear tomorrow’s deadlines taunting me: “Ready or not – here I come!” Sure, I love challenges. And yes, I can work well under pressure. But there are times that little ‘ole me just
doesn’t want to hear the “ready or not” part one more time! Like Peter walking on the water, I cry out,
“Help me, Lord! I’m sinking! Save me!”
I love this account in the last part of Matthew chapter 14. But it actually starts hours before Peter’s
cry for help. The disciples had been
busily serving along with Jesus ministering to the crowd with compassion and
healing them. They had been witnesses
and participants of the “catering miracle” of fish and loaves as Jesus
instructed them to feed the five thousand men, plus the women and children who
had sat separately as dictated by Jewish religious rules. Now Jesus makes the disciples get into the
boat and head out across the lake before Him while He bids farewell to the
large crowd. Once the people have all
left, He is there by Himself by choice.
He has just poured Himself out in visible ways, caring and healing and
feeding - that this multitude might experience His love. And now He does what
is necessary: He makes His way up a mountainside
to pray. He understands the necessity
and value of pulling away from the noise of the crowd to the rendezvous with
His Father in the solitude of the night.
The hours pass by with the deepening darkness covering the lake. By this time the disciples’ boat has drifted
quite a distance from the shallow shore.
It was beginning to be bounced around on the waves that the wind was
whipping up. Things were getting a bit rough
out there. Have you ever wondered why
Jesus “made them” get into the boat and head out alone? I think He wanted them to escape the noise of
the outdoor sub shoppe on the hillside that had its grand opening and closing
all in the same day. I think He wanted
them to sort through the ministry, the miracle, and the message. Would they “get it?” Would their faith that had just witnessed
this amazing miracle now be as real to them in the throes of a topsy-turvy boat
on the dark waves of danger? Jesus,
having been with the Father for hours – now into this fourth and last watch of
the night which was between 3:00 and 6:00 a.m. – heads out across the water to
his disciples being tossed about.
Walking on the water. Yes. At this unexpected sight, the memory of the
miracle takes flight and they think they are seeing a ghost. It is not until they hear Jesus’ voice
saying, “Ready or not – here I come!” – that they calmed down. No, He didn’t say that – but He could
have. Instead He spoke instantly to
their fear: “Take courage! It is I.
Don’t be afraid.” Then Peter,
like us, has to question a bit more.
He’s not sure if this is Jesus, so he is going to find out. Jesus lets Peter question, but demands some
action from him. He wants Peter to put
his faith into action, so He says, “Come!”
And Peter did: he got out of the
boat and stepped down on the water … and began to walk. Yes. Walk on water. Toward Jesus.
Just like Jesus. Well, that is
until Peter looked at his surroundings, like me with my endless lists. Waves for Peter, lists for me. We both begin to sink. I love how God’s Word records that in the
moments of greatest fear and despair, twice Jesus “immediately” does
something: He speaks peace – and He
reaches out His hand and catches Peter.
Immediately. And in that rescue
operation, Jesus chides Peter (and me):
“You of little faith, why did you doubt?” I’m not sure what Peter’s answer was, but all
I can say is, “I’m so sorry, Jesus! I
was ‘ready’ (I’ve got YOU!) … but I wavered on the ‘get set’ part (keeping my
eyes on YOU instead of my never-ending deadlines!) before I started ‘going’ by
faith (facing them one wave at a time with my hand in Yours!). At the end of the account when the wind and
the waves have dissipated, together Peter and I shout in unison, “Truly You are
the Son of God!” Sometimes we feel like
we’re in the fourth hour and Jesus has not shown up yet … but then He comes –
and what an entrance He makes, just for us!
O how He loves seeing us ready … and set … and going out in full-fledged
faith to do whatever it is He has called us to do! His promise?
To be with us: “immediately!” And always!
WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK . . .
TODAY, SUNDAY, OCT 13:
10:00 A.M. - PRAISE & WORSHIP
10:30 A.M. - KIDZONE CHURCH
1:30 P.M. - PUMPKIN PATCH OUTING at Oakview Nursery
All Church Event / Grandparent's Day at the Patch!
WED/THU, BIBLE "DOING" / OCT 16-17, 7:00 P.M.:
WED - Hebrews / at the church
THU - I Peter / at 905 El Dorado Street SE
FRI, OCT 18:
6;00 P.M. - MEN'S STEAK FRY at Pastor D's (875 Brook Lane NE)
FRI/SAT, OCT 18-19: WOMEN OF FAITH CONFERENCE!
1:30 P.M. - Ladies, meet at the church to carpool to this exciting event!
All monies for tickets/hotels/meals are due on Sunday, October 13th - see Debbie!
ELEVATION NORTH SPOTLIGHT!
MEN’S STEAK
NITE is set for Friday night, October 18th, at 6:00 P.M. at Pastor
D’s house at 875 Brook Lane NE – the same weekend the women will be attending
the Women of Faith Conference! Plan on
coming out for an evening of great food and awesome fellowship all in a relaxed
setting! Check out the sign-up sheet to
see what you can bring to help round out the menu for the night. The steaks and fresh home-baked bread will be
furnished. If there is someone you feel
led to bring, be sure to invite them!
This fun night can also be an opportunity to live out our faith and come
along side each other in support and encouragement! Don’t miss this awesome men’s event ~ we’ll
see you there!
REMEMBER . .
. “We never have to feel lost in our struggles but always can
trust that God walks with us.” ~ Henri J.M. Nouwen
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
