It's Not Over If...

At Ladies Bible Study last night, we were talking about stepping out in faith.  We turned to Matthew 14:25-32, where Jesus walked on the water.  Peter called to Jesus and then, stepped out on the water and started walking toward Him.  Until he saw the wind and waves...

I always feel like Peter gets a bad rap.  

When he walked on the water, he sunk.  And everybody stops right there.  

Never mind that he's the only one audacious enough to call out and clamber over the side of the boat in the midst of a wild storm...

and then, to walk on dangerous water.  He did walk on the water; don't forget that!

Sure, he started looking at the raging wind.  

I can relate to that.  Starting out with wildly audacious faith and then, faltering along the way.  When that happens, I feel like I've failed and there's no more chance for victory.

However, something happens between verse 31 and verse 32.  

v. 31 ~ Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” 

v. 32 ~ When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.

How did Jesus and Peter get back to the boat?  Did Jesus carry him?  Did they walk back together?  I don't really think it matters.  

Peter sank.  Jesus reached out immediately.

And then, they made it back to the boat.

It's not over if you sink.  

It isn't.  

God loves it when we step out, practically exercising out faith, boldly listening to His voice, but He never leaves our side through the whole storm.  

Even when we sink.  

Even when we falter.

Even when we doubt.

To you today:

It's not over if you sink.  Jesus will get you back to the boat.  

"It's not over if you sink." I wrote it in my journal and vehemently underlined it.  The ladies around me laughed and I did too.

Getting overwhelmed by the wind, the storm, the chaos, doesn't have to be the end.  

When Jesus calls to you as you're drowning, remember that He never left.  He'll get you back to the boat.  

It's not over if you sink.