I was driving home from church one recent Sunday, and my son and I were talking about the story of Jesus walking on water. I guess I got a little carried away, because next thing I know, we're deep in a conversation about storms at sea, and how hard it would be to get out of a little boat with high wind and wild waves!

I can see the whole thing, in my "minds eye" now...

Can you imagine being Peter, and trying to explain it to someone that wasn't there? I can... something like this:

Well, we'd been in town all day. The Rabbi had spoken to the crowd for hours, and healed many people. He wanted to pray a little, and told us to go on ahead. I thought he just wanted some quiet time, away from all the noise and jostling of the crowd, myself. And really, I thought He could use it, too. It had been a long day!

We got halfway across the lake, and the sky started to turn black as a squall moved in across the west side of the lake. The clouds built up like black pillars and the wind began to really whip up. I've been a fisherman all my life, and I've seen these squalls come up before, and I knew they were very dangerous! I tried to turn the boat about and head for shore, but we were right in the middle of the lake, over the deepest water, and the waves, in just minutes, were fierce, nearly swamping the boat. I could barely control the tiller to keep our position, and there was no way we could use oars or sail to get back to shore. Our only hope was to hang on and pray.

Suddenly, through the whipping wind, we saw something moving. At first I thought it was just the whitecaps on the waves, or maybe some fabric that had blown loose from somewhere and was whipping about. But then we could all see that it was moving against the wind! And it was coming towards us! We were terrified! It had the shape of a man, and when it got closer, we could see that it looked exactly like The Master!

"What are you?", I cried out to it. "Are you a spirit? A demon? Get away from us, leave us alone!" But it came closer, I could see it's eyes, that looked right at me! The Master's very eyes! And then it spoke to us, and told us not to be afraid, that it really was the Master!

The boat was rocking so hard, we were close to being swamped, and sinking, and when the "apparition" said that it really was the Master, I was so surprised, I let go the side for a moment, and was nearly pitched out into the water! I would surely have drowned! But that instant, I had an idea!

"Wait!" I said, "If you really are the Rabbi, then hold our your hand, and I will be able to walk to you!" I looked in His eyes, and He smiled. I knew right then that this was no spirit. It was no demon. This was our very Lord, and he was standing on the water as calmly as I stand here on this grass here with you now! "Come to me, then." He said, and held out His hands to me, smiling that sweet and loving smile that only He can smile.

I was filled with warmth, and even though the boat was still rocking so violently that everyone else was still clutching onto the sides for dear life, I stood as quiet and calmly as He did. I started over the side, and everyone started to shout, and tried to grab me and hold me back. I barely noticed, my eyes were full of only Him.

There He stood, calmly, as the waves roared about us, and the lighting flashed, and sheets of water feel like walls, cutting us off from the shore. There He stood. I climbed over the side. Yes! I really did! I can still hardly believe it myself! But there He was, just waiting for me. I started to walk, really, I did, across the water that was the deepest, blackest part of the lake. And it was like walking across the shore. I honestly didn't think about it, I only thought of Him, going to the Master. He was waiting.

Then it happened. The lightning crashed almost on top of us, and the thunder boomed right behind it, deafening in it's blast. The waves slammed me behind my knees, and I stumbled. That's when I lost it. I took my eyes off Him, and at that instant, I could feel myself sinking in the water! I barely had time to shout "Help me Lord!" and I threw out my hands!

And He caught me! He caught me and pulled me out of the water, and pulled me to Him. I was trembling, and I clutched Him in terror! He carried me, like a child, and we got back into the boat. And as He sat down, He smiled that gentle smile, and the storm completely stopped! No, I'm not kidding!

I just looked up at Him, from the bottom of the boat, where I lay panting for breath. I was still trembling! And he looked at me, and smiled again, and asked me, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" And all I could do was gasp, "Truly you are the Son of God!!"

Now, to me, the story is not a lesson regarding impulsivity, as had been taught in church that day, because I kind of like the idea of impulsively running to the Lord, no matter what, actually! To me, it seems more a lesson of keeping our focus on the Lord. And His complete and total willingness to forgive our weaknesses, and hold us up, and take care of us when we falter.

It’s all there, if you think about it. That utter faith, and sharing in His strength, as long as we keep our eyes on Him. It is when we let the world shake that focus that we get into trouble. Nevertheless, He’s always ready to reach out and grab us, isn’t He? How wonderful, what a glorious God!

And that's the way I taught it to my son!

Love to you all,

Lisa Alekna

08/10/1999