Dr. Robert W. Odom
In the writings of Matthew, Mark, and John, there is an account of Jesus walking on water. In particular, John’s account has a statement that caught my attention. While facing darkness and a coming storm, the disciples said, “Jesus has not come yet.” The question that came to me was, “How many times has it felt like Jesus was not showing up when we needed Him?”
There have been numerous instances in my life when I felt the absence of Jesus. Not too long ago, I found myself in a season that seemed almost unbearable. Promises felt unfulfilled, and the weight of expectations was relentless. I felt overlooked, and my worth was not recognized. All this unfolded while I lacked the necessary physical and emotional support to accomplish the mandate I had been given.
I must admit that, even though I was a follower of Christ, I felt like Jesus was not yet present. I felt I needed answers. I needed support, but it was not happening. There was a storm in my life, and fear arose from the crashing waves of change. We knew we would make it to the other side, but it was still scary and fearful. At times, it felt as though Jesus was not present.
If you have lived for a long time, I am sure you have experienced those moments when you questioned where Jesus is. He has not shown up yet. He seems to be a long way away. Often, our prayers feel ineffective, and we become confused.
But what I’ve come to understand is that Jesus was always there, even when I couldn’t see Him. He revealed Himself at the perfect moment. It’s significant that this story is recounted in three of the Gospels. In Matthew’s version, Peter dares to walk on water to meet Jesus. Jesus invites Him, and Peter steps out of the boat, moving towards Jesus.
Well, that is, until he looked down and saw and felt the waves lapping at His feet. In an instant, he fell into the water. One moment, he is walking on water, and the next, he is bobbing up and down in the water. The amazing thing is that Jesus does not ignore this, but He reaches down and lifts Peter out of the water. I believe that Jesus and Peter walked back to the boat.
So, what does this teach us? Even when we can’t see God, He is working within us and for us. The writer of Hebrews beautifully articulates this, ‘Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.’ We may not always perceive God amid our struggles, but we can be sure of His presence. He is working in us, paving the way. It’s worth noting that the Sea of Galilee, the setting for this event, was about eight miles wide. This means that Jesus had walked over 4 miles on the water, showing up long before the disciples saw Him in the storm.
Whatever storm you may face, remember that Jesus is with you. He will show up. Keep your focus on Him, not on the storm. The storm is real, and the waves are powerful, but Jesus has the power to calm the storm. In the process, we can learn some incredible lessons that can change our lives. So, how can we maintain our faith during the storm? We do so by keeping our eyes on Jesus, by remembering His promises, and by trusting that He is in control.
I love the quote by Martin Luther. It says, If I did not see that the Lord kept watch over the ship, I should long since have abandoned the helm. But I see Him! Through the storm, strengthening the tackle, handling the yards, spreading the sails – yes, more, commanding the very winds! Should I not be a coward if I abandoned my post? Let Him govern, let Him carry us forward, let Him hasten or delay; we will fear nothing!
So let me ask you:
- What storms are you currently facing?
- Where does it feel that Jesus needs to show up and has not yet? Be specific.
- Where have you seen Jesus show up before?
- What emotions do you experience during a storm?
- How many times have you stepped out in faith and focused on the storm more than Jesus?
Life on the edge 