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Author: Joanne Beckman, from the Word of Life in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

"Take heart...it is I."

It was late at night and Jesus' disciples were in a boat, far away from land, caught in the middle of a storm. Then, in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14:25-31)

Like Peter's experience in the boat, sometimes the things that appear most threatening in our lives—dark moments from our past, overwhelming burdens in the present, or the shadowy fears of an unknown future—are an opportunity to cry out to Jesus; to identify our fears and to confess them honestly. The Lord hears us and indeed is ever moving towards us, if we have the eyes to see. Jesus may be calling to us even now to "Take heart" saying, "It is I. Do not be afraid." What seems insurmountable when we attempt to walk across choppy waters on our own becomes an invitation to walk towards the Lord, to take his hand, and to trust in his care.

Today, let us name one area of darkness, of gusty winds, or of stormy seas in our lives. Then let us turn from the fear that so quickly rises, and fix our eyes on Jesus. He says, Take heart. Do not be afraid. Come.

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.