I was giving my daughter a bath when she started to do something strange with her foot.
“What are you doing, hon?”
“I’m trying to walk on water, Mom, like Jesus did.”
She told me her teacher had told her a story about when she was a little girl and how she tried to walk on water in the bathtub and never could. Only Jesus could do that. (Well, Peter did, too.)
I asked her, “Why do you want to walk on water?”
She answered, “Because Jesus did and I want to, too.”
Isn’t that the way we should think — to want to do the same things Jesus did, to follow His examples in the mundane and the miracles?
My daughter teaches me so much about what I like to call the Jesus-led adventure. A posture of letting Him lead in every area of our lives, following hard after Him so we can be like Him, and dwelling with Him in the promised land He has for each of us.
I love that she thinks if Jesus walked on water, we can, too.
Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage, I am here!” Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come.” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.
Matthew 14:27-29 (NLT)
Peter asked to join Jesus on the water in the middle of the miracle that defined Him as the Son of God. When was the last time we asked to join Jesus in the miracles He’s doing?
I forget there were a lot of other disciples in the back of the boat desperately trying to stay in the boat. The other eleven never asked Jesus to call them out of the boat to walk on the water with Him. But Peter’s faith increased the faith of all the ones shaking in the back of the boat. Their response after Jesus calms the storm is to worship Jesus, exclaiming, “You really are the Son of God!”
We want our lives to point to Jesus, to worship Him in such a way that shows others how to worship, too. If we start asking Jesus to join Him in the miracles He’s already doing, perhaps others will worship Him and say, “Jesus really is the Son of God!”
What are you seeing Jesus do around you but aren’t brave enough to join Him in? By brave enough, I mean to join Him on the water, to be with Him, to dwell with Him where miracles happen. It’s not about being brave enough by yourself to get out of the boat or about focusing on what happens when you have a moment of panic like Peter did when the waves got huge. It’s about asking Jesus to join Him in His work, where it’s you and Him and all the power of God at work.
My daughter wants to walk on water with Jesus. And I do, too.
For me, asking to join Jesus in His work looks like reading His Word bright and early and writing every day so I can teach the younger generation what He’s teaching me. Since Jesus calls me to join Him in His passion for the next generation so they can know and love Him, miracles will happen.
Getting out of the boat for me looks like stepping through the door Jesus opened for me to record a podcast. I have to rely solely on Jesus to supply the wisdom and words. I need His faith working through me to keep walking on the waves.
Walking on water can also look like the everyday moments that only Jesus could do through me, like loving my daughter patiently, folding laundry, not arguing with my husband, taking care of the land He gave us, cooking dinner (again), and keeping His words in my mind and coming out of my mouth as I interact with others.
I don’t know what it looks like for you to ask Jesus to join Him in His miracles. It may look like what the world would call success or serving in the mundane or probably a little of both. Ask the Lord what He wants you to do, which others might think looks like walking on water but what will simply be you joining Jesus in His work.
Leave a Comment
Michele Morin says
Beautiful Truth!
And just last evening I was studying Jesus’s words in John 8 where He says He is the Light of the World, which reminded me of His words in the Sermon on the Mount saying WE are the light of the world. How wonderful that we are invited to reflect His light!
Jas says
It’s wonderful isn’t it?! To bask in the light and then share it with the world?
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Stephanie,
What an awesome question to ask!! So often we want Jesus to join us in OUR agendas, but we’ve got it backwards. Oh to be part of HIS miracles here on earth. When I said, “Here I am, Lord,” Jesus answered in a huge way. He asked me to partner with Him to start a Christian school for orphans and destitute children in a terror-ridden country, smack dab in the devil’s backyard. This country, brimming with extremists, terrorists, human trafficking, child slave labor, child prostitution, extremist recruitment is fertile ground for the love of Jesus. If you’d like to join us in bringing His love to this forgotten land, check out our website: http://redeemerchristianfoundation.org/ or visit our website: https://www.facebook.com/rcf.rocks/. Great post and question to ponder, Stephanie!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Stephanie says
I love to see how you are joining Jesus in His work in another area of our world. Thank you!!
Jas says
Very powerful message that speaks to me and what I am about to embark on! Our regular community that visit these posts everyday and are the first few to comment hear me go on and on about this trip to Cambodia (in less than 3 weeks) that God has orchestrated all the steps for me to go…this whole Masters! It’s something I want and have prayed endlessly over yet I find this week unexplainable anxiety and stress at the thought! Fear. I hate anxiety and it’s reared it’s ugly head. I am doing all I can to help alleviate it and it is slowly working but I don’t understand it. Anyway, choose to like Peter, will step out of the boat and openly, willingly from this vulnerable position to join Jesus in working with him, because of him, in his plan for me and do this/his work. I will walk on water with him whilst praying all the time for reassurance provided by his arms for love, security and protection.
Thank you for this post!
Stephanie says
Praying you have peace as you embark on the next step of your Jesus led adventure.
Maylee says
I love this story of your daughter.. Yes it is awesome when our kids are not scared of what others think and fully embrace the word of God. My daughter was in 4th grade when she was caught at the school for soliciting religious cards to her classmates in school. I received the call from the principle who clearly was displeased that she had done such a thing in a public school setting. Inside I was so happy that she was bold enough to share the gospel. Upon being asked why she did this, she simply stated that she too wanted to share His message and be that light for those who may need it. The school may not had approved but I know I sure did.. Thank you for sharing this message about taking that bold step into joining Jesus in His work. Miracles are happening every day.
Stephanie says
What a sweet girl you have. I love the heart of child like faith. May we each carry that kind of faith with us always.
Heather L. Mattern says
Stephanie, I needed this today. Often I look down at the risks and problems I’m sinking in instead of looking to Jesus to guide me miraculously across the water. Faith in him is our best contribution to anything he has planned for us. Thank you for reminding me this morning where my eyes should be.
Stephanie says
I love how God had me write these words for you. 🙂
Lashay Johnson says
Thank you for sharing. This is a word in season. My Pastor just started a sermon series titled Water Walkers. I am in the posture to receive and pray for courage to continue looking up and out; so that when (not if) the winds blow I will be reminded that if Jesus bid me to come, He is more than able to hold me up.
Stephanie says
I love the title of being a Water Walker. Such a visible reminder of God’s faithfulness .
Kathy Cheek, Author ~ First Breath of Morning says
I am daily asking Him for miracles for my devotional book that is out now! And thanking Him that First Breath of Morning: Where God Waits For You Every Day is published now!
You can read a little about it here!
http://www.kathycheek.com/2018/10/first-breath-of-morning-where-god-waits.html
Beth Williams says
Kathy,
Congratulations on your book! I pray it helps many women!! May God continue to bless you & your endeavors!!
Blessings 🙂
Becky Beresford says
Stephanie, this was so good! I love this story in the Bible, and I feel like every time I read it, it points to something new and beautiful. Thank you for revealing another precious truth: I want to walk on water! I want to join Jesus in His miracles, both big and small, and just be with Him. Your words were just so refreshing and good.
Thank you!
Becky
Stephanie says
Thank you, Becky!
Diane Thiel says
And through the walk and miracle we see God and feel loved. Thank you for your sweetness shown through your words and tj love you share with your daughter
Penny says
Wow Stephanie,
Thank-you for this beautifully put together post. So sweet of your daughter to think as she does. I appreciate your thoughts on how even by doing everyday tasks, (fill in), we can walk on water with Jesus too. Lot’s to absorb.
Have a blessed day all,
Penny
Beth Williams says
Stephanie,
Children teach us so much about life. They are fearless & don’t care about what the world thinks of them. They just know they want to do things. We could learn a lot from children. A few years ago God had me on a journey of dealing with my aging father’s dementia. He was hospitalized. I was scared. All I could do was rely completely on God, His plans & timing.He allowed me to witness a miracle & healed him. Dad went from not being allowed outside for fear of him walking away to being able to go on short bus trips with others from the assisted living he moved to. Now I’m on a different “water walk” with Him. Earlier this year my 90 year old FIL had Stage III bladder cancer surgery. He survived & is doing ok for now. So blessed to witness this miracle. My journey continues with both in-laws. MIL has health issues & is trying to care for FIL. I get to cook & gather food for them. It’s one thing Jesus & I can do. Don’t want her to have to cook all the time. Plus I enjoy doing it. I know God sees all this & will bless me down the road.
Blessings 🙂