Reach Out & Grab Hold

Life is not always easy treading. Sure, there are days when the pavement is newly resurfaced, and the journey is smooth. But there are also days when the road you find yourself on is not so smooth. Even the potholes loom large and dangerous. It feels as if you are about to tumble into a deep dark black hole.

Abnormal markers in your routine blood work require further testing, leading to a diagnosis of cancer. Or maybe out of the blue you experience some other major health scare. You or a family member have been battling a lingering illness for a long time and you are worn down and discouraged. A loved one recently died, you find yourself lost and lonely. Maybe you suddenly find yourself without a job. It could be that at the end of the month you have more bills to pay than you have money in your checkbook. Whatever the “hole,” you just cannot seem to shake the feelings of fear or despair. With each new day the vortex sucks you deeper and deeper into the hole.

Or how about this. You have been praying about something God placed on your heart and finally build up the courage to step out of the boat in faith, only to find yourself beginning to sink. You thought that you were following God’s plan, but now you question whether you really did hear from God, or if you simply ate some bad pizza.

Where do you turn when the bottom drops out?

What is at the bottom of that black hole you find yourself falling into? Will it hurt? Fear has taken over and you are waiting for the hard landing. Rest assured that Jesus is there to catch you.

You might be familiar with the story of Peter walking on water. Matthew 14:22-36 tells the story of the disciples in the middle of the lake when their boat got caught in a storm. While it was still dark, they saw Jesus walking on the water and were terrified because they thought he was a ghost. Jesus tells them to not be afraid, but probably to little avail. Peter then calls out, saying, “Lord if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water” (v.28). You can imagine Peter’s shock when Jesus invites him to get out of the boat!

Let’s pick up the story beginning in v.29 – “Come,” he said. Then Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Do you see it? When Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he walked on the water. But the moment he focused on the problem (winds and waves), he began to sink. So, what happens next? We find these comforting words in v.31 – “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

So, when you are falling head over heels into what seems like a deep dark black hole, and fear has kicked in, know that Jesus is not far away, with His hand extended, saying to you, “I am right here!” Reach out and grab hold!

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