Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33

When these storms come we can rely on our own abilities and resources. To a certain extent we should do this. God does not expect us to be helpless. God has provided special skills and abilities that we are to employ in meeting the challenges and difficulties of life.

We can also rely on others and we should. In spite of the accolades heaped upon many rugged individuals God made us to be in relationship and community. We are to provide help to others as we are able and we also need at times to abandon pride and accept the help others offer. Often there are situations where you cannot provide an answer or an explanation. You can only be present to the other showing a willingness to help if asked. Sometimes if you have previously experienced what they are presently experiencing your presence serves as a reminder that others have made it through storms like the one they are in and they will survive it as well.

The story in Matthew this morning doesn't indicate the disciples were afraid of the storm they were experiencing. They had been up all day, helped feed the multitudes and had been rowing into the wind and bailing water from their boat for hours. Each of them was doing his part and all of them were helping each other. They were exhausted but were working too hard to survive to have time or energy to be afraid.

That was their situation when Jesus arrived. It often is ours as well. We work to exhaustion but dare not give up. Often we forget there is another source of help available to be brought alongside of what we can provide ourselves. However, to see something that appears to be supernatural has to be terrifying particularly when it is on top of everything else we are experiencing. It doesn't have to be anything supernatural. It is just that it is the last straw. It is simply one more thing when we don't have the resources to face one more thing. My guess is when Jesus arrived, the disciples stopped rowing and bailing. All their attention was focused on this object that appeared on the water before them.

It seems natural that Jesus would reassure them. God is always doing that. Think of how many times in Scripture we hear these words, "Do not be afraid!" What is a puzzle to me is Peter's response. "If it is you, Lord, bid me come to you." Peter had to know that men do not walk on water. What if it wasn't Jesus? The first step out of the boat would have been fatal.

My sense is that the impetuous Peter really believed it was Jesus. Who else did Peter know who could do something like this? Peter also demonstrated that he trusted Jesus and he wanted to be with Him, "If it is you, Lord." Peter believed Jesus' power and love for him would sustain him. So when Jesus said, "Come!" Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water.

Then Peter made a near fatal error. Having first trusted Jesus, he began to pay attention to the storm rather than his friend and master. Peter started thinking about the wind and the waves rather than being with Jesus. He sank at once but in another display of faith he called out, "Lord, save me!"

We have to decide whether or not we trust Jesus to be in our life. That trust and relationship needs to be in place before the waters of the storms of life cover our heads. Our own ability only goes so far as is true for the help of friends. There is a level of relationship and life that only God can provide, and we frustrate ourselves if we think we can find this in our self or others.

Peter was right in realizing he needed to come to Jesus. There are times when we have to get out of the boat and walk right into the center of the storm. What God tells us is that we do not have to do it alone.

As we worship today there is a space shuttle flight in progress. We all remember the last flight that ended in tragedy upon re-entering the earth's atmosphere. Because of some pieces that broke off in lift-of there is concern for this flight as well. During their flight the crew has had to count upon each other and upon hundreds of support people at Mission Control. During the flight some of them also had to leave the shuttle to perform certain tasks including looking for potential damage to the spacecraft and hopefully repairing it. Whenever an astronaut leaves the spacecraft he or she is attached to a tether line so that their connection to the spacecraft is not broken.

Jesus is reminding us that we need to stay connected to the One who is the source of our ultimate salvation. Paul writes in Romans 10:13, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

We don't need to wait until we are about ready to be taken under by the storms of life before we call on the Lord. We need to know that God's desire is to be with us at all times whether they be calm or stormy ones. It was only because Peter had a prior relationship with Jesus that he risked getting out of the boat. Even though his faith faltered, Jesus was still near enough to be able to save him.

What do you have as your personal flotation device? Will it be adequate to save you from the storms of life? Or, is it the case that you need to call upon the name of God who ultimately is the source and sustainer of all life?