Stormy waters …

Last week we sang Oceans, and whilst it isn’t my favourite (and yes I may have groaned inside and rolled my eyes like a petulant teenager) the words were necessary for so many of us. I felt the Holy Spirit fall over us like a soft blanket, and for many I felt they were held by Him for a moment, that their stormy waters were calmed.

“You call me out upon the waters

The great unknown where feet may fail

And there I find You in the mystery

In oceans deep

My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name

And keep my eyes above the waves

When oceans rise

My soul will rest in Your embrace

For I am Yours and You are mine”

As I closed my eyes I could see the boat upon the stormy waters. Darkness, waves, fear rising within me, surrounding me. The waters of my hidden emotions, fears, anxieties thrashing about me.

 I heard a whisper in my ear “keep your eyes on mine.” As I looked about I saw Jesus stood a distance away. “It doesn’t matter what the storms in your life are doing, it only matters that you keep your eyes on me.”

 I focused upon Him, but it was hard. The urge to look to the left and the right was overwhelming, and yet He kept whispering the same thing over and over “I’m here Sophie. I’m right here.”

There will be storms that we face, be it illness, grief, loss, strife, fear, anxiety, turmoil, anger and even a crisis in faith. We all experience those thrashing waters that make our stomachs ache and our hearts weary. We become overwhelmed with only seeing the waves, but Jesus calls to us softly. He calls to us to keep our eyes focused on Him and only Him. Even in situations where it all just seems too much we must look to Him, lock eyes on Him and only Him.

When we do this, when we sustain our focus on Him, then He calls us out of our comfort zones. He calls us to step out of the boat.

For many of us I feel a sense that we need to focus on Him and step out of our boats. That we need to keep our eyes on Him and not the storm we are in. Joyce Meyer once said even if you’re afraid do it afraid!

We are all pioneer women, stepping out into new ground, new paths, new callings. Fear can cause those waters to surge but do it anyway. Lock your eyes on Jesus, the one who calls you forward and step out of the boat.

“But the boat [by this time] was already a long distance from land, tossed and battered by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night (3:00-6:00 a.m.) Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately He spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I! Do not be afraid!” Peter replied to Him, “Lord, if it is [really] You, command me to come to You on the water.” He said, “Come!” So Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw [the effects of] the wind, he was frightened, and he began to sink, and he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus extended His hand and caught him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.”

Matthew 14:24-32 AMP