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You Asked for It

“During the fourth watch of the night (around 3 am) Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It's a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.’ ‘Lord, if it's you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’ ‘Come,’ he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’” (Matthew 14:22-31)

Poor Peter! He is often remembered for his failures. He is the one who denied Jesus three times. He is the one who speaks before he thinks. He is the one who, when walking on the water, sank like a rock.

Let me ask you this question though: Why was it Peter who got to walk on the water in the first place? Was Peter special in some way? Was he Jesus’ favourite disciple? Did his years of service merit this opportunity? Did he have some special ability that the others did not possess?

Why did Peter get to walk on the water?

He asked!

That is it! That is the entire answer. Peter asked if he could and Jesus said, “Sure! Why not?”

That makes me wonder, what gifts, blessings, opportunities and successes are we missing out on experiencing simply because we do not ask?

Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8).

The book of James says, “You want something but don't get it… You do not have, because you do not ask God” (4:2).

Is it possible that God is just waiting to bless us? Is it possible that we are struggling, not because things are impossible, but because we are trying to do things by our power and not God’s? Who knows what may happen if we ask?

Maybe it is time to step out of the boat.

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