Lilly
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” Matthew 14: 28 NIV
I recently attended my first Dock Diving event with my grand dog, Lilly. Dock Diving is a fun sport to do with your best friend if your dog loves water and their toys. All you have to do is throw your pup’s favorite toy off a dock and then they run and jump to retrieve it at your command.
Lilly made quite a splash in her first event. She jumped 19.5 feet and stayed totally focused on her ball. Once she retrieved it, it was a different story. She was enjoying swimming around in the pond with her ball and daddy had to go in and guide her out so the next competitors could compete.
Peter had a similar situation in the story told in Matthew 14. Jesus came to the disciples walking on the water during a windy night at sea. The disciples were afraid but Jesus reassured them that it was him and not a ghost. For some reason Peter said, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” So Jesus said, “Come.”
Peter’s focus was on Jesus and verse 29 tells us he got out of the boat and walked on water toward Jesus. Peter then notices the wind and the waves and starts to sink. Jesus reaches out his hand to catch him and they climb into the boat together.
Just like Lilly focused on her ball jumped over 19 feet, Peter followed Jesus into the water and walked on the rolling waves but they both lost their focus. Lilly needed her daddy to come guide her in the right direction to exit the pond and Peter needed to take Jesus’ hand and follow him out of the water and into the boat.
When we keep our eyes on Jesus, we run and jump and make great strides in our Christian walk. We think we are on the right track, and then suddenly the waves crash around us and we notice we are struggling a bit and sinking fast. Jesus is always there, ready to take our hand and lead us to safety.
Get out of the boat today and take a leap! Keep your focus on the one who knows and loves you. He will always be there to calm the seas and steady you when you reach out to Him.
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Just Another Dog Devotion 