Wandering Heart: "Rescue me from danger"

He to rescue me from danger
Interposed His precious blood

-Come Thou Font of Every Blessing

This week on our journey with Peter we are once again at the Sea of Galilee, this time out on the water (Matthew 14:22-33).  This is one of those familiar stories that as I read I like to put myself somewhere in the story, whether as Peter or one of the other disciples in the boat.  I often think how I would respond.  Would I have been impulsive like Peter and jumped in the water only to become filled with doubt and sink?  Or would I be like one of the other disciples and look on in fear and trembling? The truth is it really depends on the day!  Sometimes I am bold and brave, ready to jump, while at other times I am timid and fearful of even getting my feet wet.

Peter is both!  One moment he is brave and the next he lets his fear and doubt overwhelm him.  It is when he loses focus that he begins to sink, panic sets in, and doubt overwhelms. I think we have all been there at one time or another, right?  One minute confident and the next insecure, fearless then fainthearted, walking on water then sinking like a rock.

Sometimes, the danger is of our own making. Sometimes we sink simply because we had the courage to show up. Other times, we sink because we lose sight of what’s crashing around us. Often we grapple with what has made us sink without realizing that Jesus focuses on how much he loves us. Jesus extends a rescuing hand—and his love is greater than whatever causes us to sink.

He to rescue me from danger…no matter the situation we find ourselves in we are not alone in it.  Here is the thing we need to remember…Jesus extends a rescuing hand – and his love is greater than whatever causes us to sink.  Jesus speaks words of comfort…”do not be afraid!” 

How much are you like Peter?  How has Jesus rescued you?  I hope you join us these next few weeks of Lent as we figure out faith like Peter.  Jesus rescued him, and Jesus always saves us.

Blessings,
Pastor Jenni

Let that grace now, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love;
here’s my heart; O take and seal it; seal it for thy courts above.

-Come Thou Font of Every Blessing