Our Focus

The fierce storm tossed the boat about on the lake as the disciples were making their way across. As they struggled to keep the boat afloat in the dead of night, they were met with another terrifying sight: someone or something was making its way over the water towards them. Out of fear, the disciples cried out, “It’s a ghost!” The mysterious figure on the lake immediately responded, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Peter, recognizing the figure as Jesus, called out, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.”  “Come,” came the reply. Without hesitation or second thought, Peter got down out of the boat and without taking his eyes off of Jesus, stepped onto the water and began walking towards his Lord. The wind howling in his ears, Peter, struck suddenly by doubt and fear, took his eyes of Jesus and immediately began to sink. “Lord, save me!” Peter cried out. In the blink of an eye, Peter felt the strong arms of Christ lifting him up out of the water. “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

                What had happened? Peter had started so well! He was actually walking on water! Why did he sink? He had simply taken his eyes off Jesus. His focus had shifted from Jesus to the wind and the storm that surrounded him. Fear and doubt crept in, and he started to sink. Silly Peter! How could he have such little faith? Before we start becoming too critical of Peter, we must realize that we struggle with the same things. When our focus is on Jesus, things tend to go well. When our thoughts and actions remain centered on Christ, we avoid and overcome many temptations that come into our lives. But when we become distracted by all the things going on around us; when the storms of life cause us to fear; when our focus shifts from Christ to ourselves; we begin to sink. We begin to sink and our lives start to unravel. We fall prey to temptation, and stumble and fall. Simply because we have taken our eyes off of Christ. So we must ask ourselves: where is our focus?