What are you focused on?

We had a whirlwind of a weekend here at the Ward house! My van would not crank 2 days last week and we had to take it into the shop to be fixed. My mom came from NC to visit last Wednesday. Jackson ran a fever for 4 days, starting on Wednesday, and we ended up having to take him to the doctor on Friday. Jackson had his 1st birthday on Saturday!! :) At church on Sunday, Caleb fell and busted his nose on the metal walkway on the playground. On Monday, some friends from Virginia came into town and spent the night. (We had 5 kids sleeping in one small room!!) Then as of 7am yesterday morning, everyone had gone home. We went from having a houseful to having no one in our home!

In the midst of that chaotic weekend (some things were wonderful and others were not), I was reminded of the story in Matthew 14 where Jesus walked on water. When the disciples saw Him coming towards them, they were afraid. Peter says "Lord, if it is You, command me to come." So He commanded Peter to come. Peter stepped out of the boat and began to walk on water. Then when he looked away from Christ and saw the wind and the waves, Peter got frightened and began to sink. Peter got caught up in his circumstances and took his eyes off Jesus.

Sometimes we get caught up by circumstances in our life - illness, family struggles, classes at school, homework, tests and projects, relationship difficulties, job stresses, car trouble, etc. One thing I noticed in reading this passage that I never really thought of before was that when Peter took his eyes off of Christ and looked at the circumstances around him, Jesus never left his side. He was right there beside Peter the entire time and all Jesus had to do was reach out a hand to grab him. He was not so far away that he had to run 3 miles back to Peter to keep him from drowning. Also, He had not turned His back to Peter so He could not see that Peter needed His help. Christ was right there and He was willing to rescue Peter! Christ is right there beside you all the time. Even in the midst of undesirable circumstances, keep your eyes on Him. He will reach out His hand to walk with you and see you through whatever is going on in your life. And if you fall He will stay right there to pick you up and keep you from drowning! What a wonderful, loving God we serve!!!