AND THEN THERE'S A THIRD OPTION

Problems seem to present themselves day in and day out.  If solution is found in one area, breakdown erupts in another...fairly soon.  Because we are a responsible sort, we take on the challenge to look the puzzling moment in the eye and solve it.  Life's tenure doesn't seem to note struggles as decreasing.  Just the opposite seems to be the order as we age.

It's with the nod of the head or the shrug of the shoulders that it seems to be said, "Sink or swim."  Of course, sinkage isn't really a matter of preference.  So swim it is.  Swim always gets the vote.  Swim usually holds the trophy.  Until....

Until?  There are those times where one can find himself overwhelmed by current circumstances.  It might be a new ordeal of conflict.  Again, it could be that interferences seem to be escalating in rapid number.  It's here that we may need a third alternative; a new possibility for effectivity.

Ah, and there is that third option.  Peter experienced it.  One time Jesus came a-marching across the lake waters unphased by the laws of gravity.  The devoted disciple was flabbergasted.  He'd seen nothing like it; never even had the thought of such possibility.  Yet, there it was coupled with an invitation from Jesus to do the same.

You've.  Got.  To.  Be.  Kidding.

Getting out of the boat, Peter walked on water for a few steps.  As soon as he took his eyes off of Jesus and began to peer upon the threatening waves, he began to sink.  For a bit, however, Peter defied logic, rules of gravational science, and his own frail faith system.

He.  Walked.  On.  Water.

Believe it.  The walk of a believer in God is perpetually pulled, even challenged, to trade the "sink or swim" motto for the "walk on water" truthful reality.  The point of Peter's brief jaunt was not to put the boating industry out of work.  No, rather it was to awaken us to be drawn into a new kind of walk that can neither be explained nor understood.  The most it can do is to be believed.

So I cheer you on.  You have hurdles in front of you; very rough seas.  The current is bold and the towering waves remind you of endless threat.  Their messages are to persuade you that there is no hope in this specific challenge; nor in the next for that matter.

Yet, faith in Jesus standing atop of our turbulence and calling us to walk directly toward him is a fascinating bid for our faithful courage to get out of the boat of security and start the trek.  The very idea of believing that God can do with us what can't be done is...well...just too exciting.

Be encouraged.  Try to stop playing faith safe.  Quit going by the norm of religious habit and dare to step onto the waters of mystery, of apparent hopelessness, and assumed failure.  Walk right into those intimidating storms.  You'll take a few steps.  Before long you'll need Jesus to carry you the remainder of the way.  He will be there as your cheerleader!

This is the third step!  Sink maybe.  Swim maybe.  Or wait, walk on top of all your troubles?  Ah, now THAT'S a real option!