Matthew 14:23 - Matthew 14:32 (NIV)

23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself

to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat was

already a considerable distance [a] from land, buffeted by the waves

because the wind was against it.

25 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking

on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they

were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be

afraid."

28 Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the

water."

29 Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the

water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid

and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little

faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.

COMMENT:

When we look at these verses in scripture it is very easy for us to look

at Peter and say, if he only had more faith. But I would like to remind

us that while Peter did take his eyes off of Christ and he began to sink

... two things are very clear. One, there were others in the boat that

did not go in the water and two, Peter knew who to call on when he was

in trouble.

When we take that first step in faith a blessing always follows.

However, when we take our eyes off of Jesus, trouble will always be

close behind. The other lesson we see is that when we call out in faith

Jesus reaches out His hand to safely bring us back on board.

APPLICATION:

While reviewing these verses I can recall several experiences at work. I

can recall having my eyes set on one of my fellow workers as the kind of

manager I wanted to be. This young man was definite in his ideas. People

looked at him as a leader. He loved to party. People also recognized

this in him as well. I saw to it that I went to lunch with the gang.

This was very interesting as to the best of my knowledge looking back on

the situation none of them were Christians. Yet, I claimed that name. I

knew that he was having trouble in his home life ... yet never talked to

him about it. I knew by his life style that he needed the Lord ... yet

never shared a Word of testimony with him. How could I tell him that God

had a plan for his life when he could not see it at work in my life.

But you see I had determined that work was different and if you want to

get ahead you blend in when it comes to being a Christian. Praise the

Lord I learned that Christians do not blend in at work. We are

different. Ephesians 6 tells us to work as unto the Lord. That makes us

different. However, if I am going to work as unto the Lord, I must have

my eyes on Him and not the people or circumstances around me. Peter only

started to sink when his eyes came off of the Lord and on the

circumstances. It says he was afraid ... If we go through life depending

on others or the circumstances around us, we too will sink. But like

Peter, we can call out to Jesus who's hand will be extended far enough

to cover our need.

Who do you have your eyes on today? Can the people that you work with

see the Savior they need living in you? The Bell System use to have an

ad that encouraged people to Reach Out And Touch Someone. Christians in

the work place ought to be doing this daily. May God richly bless you as

you serve Him in the work place!