Our Gaze

 

Our Gaze

               The school was having their annual talent show. Little Atticus was in 2^nd grade. He was rapping a song. During try outs, Atticus was enthusiastic and confident. We decided to put him to start the show. His act would be perfect to get the crowd excited and start the show. Atticus took the stage. After just a few lines, he froze. He looked down and stood there in the spotlight. I ran quickly to his dad in the audience, “Run to the middle and stand there so Atticus can see you!”. Dad took off running quickly. I went to the stage and said, “Atticus, look up, there is dad.” Atticus smiled, started moving with the music, and loudly rapped the words. The crowd cheered.

               I’m reminded of a story in the bible. Peter was out in the boat with the other disciples. The boat was in the middle in the sea, the wind had come up, and the waves were tossing the boat. Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea. The disciples became fearful, thinking Jesus was a “ghost”. Jesus responded, “It is I, do not be afraid” (Matt. 14: 27). Peter responded, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water” (Matt. 14:28). Jesus told Peter to come. Peter got out of boat and began walking to Jesus. However, the wind was boisterous, and Peter was afraid; he began to sink. Jesus caught him. When Peter looked down at the waves, he sank. When he looked at Jesus and cried out to Him, Jesus caught him.

               How many times in our own lives are we paralyzed by fear or by our circumstances? Just as Atticus looked at his father, we must cast our eyes up on our heavenly Father. When our gaze is on Jesus, we find we are no longer sinking in the waves but rescued.

 

Read Matthew 14 and Mark 6 to read the story of Jesus and Peter walking on water.