The Miracle or the Failure…

 Was it the miracle or more about the failure, and Christ’s consistent presence despite? 



I’ve always viewed the story of Peter and Jesus walking on water as a picture of Peter’s doubt and the miracle that Christ can do anything even walking on water. And I do think those are truths that can be taken away from this encounter however, I think there is more. 


It’s amazing how our minds work in conjunction with our active relationship with Christ. People think that walking with Jesus is a formal image of someone head bowed and hands together. Instead of the reality of it being like any other relationship you have that’s intimate and consistent. In reality, some of my deepest moments with Jesus have taken place in my car, in the shower, or in the midst of a storm of emotion that seems to be riveting through like a tornado due to the chaos around. It’s come in silence and it’s come in complete hysteria.  But that’s just it, it’s present and constant. It’s in every emotion and every experience. It’s even there when I am not. 


So in one of these moments, I’m driving. I’ve had on my mind for a few weeks now the encounter of Peter and Jesus during the storm.  


Matthew 14:22-33…


Jesus Walks on the Water

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”


It’s my personal belief that when there is scripture placed on our mind there is a reason or application. A lesson to be taken, to be implemented in that season or one soon to come. I’ve pondered the story here and there over the last two weeks but today It clicked.


I don’t know about you but I struggle with including God in all aspects of my life, heart, brokenness, and struggles. I want to be put together for Him. I want to make him proud. So in the seasons of brokenness and struggle, I just kind of sit quiet. It’s extremely hard for me to accept that Christ is extremely capable of not just existing in my “storms” but remaining in complete control and present. Not bc of my exemplary performance, but quite the opposite. That in the midst of my fears, questions, rebellion, failures, hurts, and so many other dark places of the soul- he remains constant and present and faithful. There is not ultimatum. It’s truly an unconditional love and presence that only He is equipped to give. 


So this story showed me something different. It showed me that miracles happen in mess. Strength happens in weakness. Peter loved Jesus and trusted him. He believed in the power of Christ. However, Peter was human and Jesus expected nothing more. Jesus knew exactly what would happen and could have completely altered the narrative of that event but he didn’t. He knew that wouldn’t be the last of Peters doubt. But he also knew that Peter truly loved him as much as his fleshly sinful heart would permit. And a part of me wants to think that Jesus wanted Peter to remember, that his failures and weakness (in this case focusing on the storm around him and succumbing to fear) was not enough to eliminate the constant presence of Jesus. That despite the storm Jesus remained grounded. And not outside of the storm but right there in the midst…and to take it a step further, not just in the midst-but on top and in control of it. 


It’s easy for me to want to hide from God when I’m surrounded by my shame, but the truth is I can’t. Just as he remained in the storm during Peters’ lack of faith, so He remains with me…so He remains with you…so He remains…faithful, constant, unfailing, and in control.


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