This post, by Andrea Seale, is a reflection on the “That Time I Walked On Water” sermon as part of the “Unraveled” sermon series.
Elaine’s ‘Looking to Sunday‘ article last week made me consider what “nature-defying act(s)” I have experienced in my life. In hindsight, some of these occurrences may not be as risky as walking on water, but during the moment some seemed monumental and some truly were monumental. I thought of the persistent faith needed by those involved in one such occurrence: a family’s persistent prayers concerning the health and growth of a 6-month-old premie in the hospital. I thought about the unwavering faith they must have possessed. But was it really unwavering?
Elaine invited us to “… consider if God might be inviting you into something that doesn’t totally make sense.” I can say yes, He is asking me into many things that don’t seem logical, that seem to be a stretch from where I am now. The outcomes of these situations may not be comfortable, secure, or what I desire. Like the disciples in the boat on a stormy (challenging) sea, I am praying to stand on dry, stable land again. I am wishing: “If only I can reach the other side, to safety.” It seems, for some situations, that I have been in the boat for so long and that the storms – some of which are small, some large, some of which are my own, some with friends and church family – rage on.
During Sunday’s sermon, I began thinking again about faith. The questions that came to me were these: “What is enough faith?” and “Do I have enough faith?” A friend told me once that I was “so faithful,” but do I have faith enough to stay on the stormy sea and see the storm through? Do I have faith to step out and walk on the stormy waters? Elaine asked in this past Sunday’s sermon “What is impossible for God?” After some thought, I realize now that these questions of sufficient faith are not the right questions. After all, Jesus said in Matthew 17:20 “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”‘
An aha then came to me (This aha was quite different from the realization that Elaine appreciates music from the ’70s and ’80s, that the songs of Elton John, the Hues Corporation and Ray Parker Jr. come to her mind when reading scripture – listen to the sermon to see which songs – and that she may have the gifts needed to create a musical.): faith is holding on to what you know – God’s Promises. If I continually focus on His fulfilled promises, faith is present. If my head is raised, seeking and seeing Jesus’ presence in the midst of the storm, faith is present. The reality that became apparent to me is that I should not be questioning my faith but should instead be questioning my action (or lack thereof). Can I take action? What is the action I should take? Elaine mentioned that Jesus knows exactly where we are in the midst of the storm. No directions need to be given for Him to find me. This is because He is beside me. (This reminds me of the Footprints poem). So, in the midst of the storm, I need to ask for guidance, get out of the boat (act), and call out for help when needed. Jesus is there.
Another question from the ‘Looking to Sunday‘ article was this: “What do you need from God and from your church family, for you to make the leap?” I need to be a-tuned to God’s presence and to remember His love for me, that He desires the best for me, and His promise from Deuteronomy 31:6, which reads: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” From my Church family, I need the community we have together – a community of love, care and prayer support.