Wherefore Didst Thou Doubt?

Wherefore Didst Thou Doubt
The storms of life seem treacherous at times. We've grown up knowing that trials are good for us and they make us stronger, but sometimes the waves great really rough, and we get scared. Really scared. We call out, like Peter did, "If it is You, Lord...bade me come out to thee on the water---If it it's You, Lord, let me know you're really there." In a moment of faith, we step out blindly onto the water, heeding the voice that beacons to us, "Come." But, the distance seems a lot longer than we think it should be, and the wind is boisterous. Suddenly aware of the water, it begins to rise around us again, and last lingering remnants of faith send a panicked plea upward, "Help me Lord. Please save me from this deep."
And just like that, His hands, scarred from the nails at Calvary, grasp onto yours and pull you up. Some of us are required to walk on these rough waters a lot longer than others. But, despite our doubts, we can hold firmly to the truth that the hand which holds us up, is the Son of God. He must let go to test our faith, but His hands are stretched out still. We have to be the ones to walk it, but He will always be there to pull as back up as doubt and fear cause us to sink. "Of a truth, [He is] the Son of God."
Granted, sometimes we don't know why were are often required to walk on the water, rather than to float. Boats are great inventions, so why not brave the rough waters in a vessel made for braving them? Perhaps it is that true growth comes from without of our comfort zone. Perhaps the Lord is teaching us sometimes, how to swim--at the very least, He wants us to know how to dog paddle. To tread the water. To have faith that we will one day rise above laws of physics or fear that hold us down at the level of the waves.

Learning to Swim,
Future Sister Holly Howell