A Word From Tammy Maseberg

“Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ And He said, ‘Come!’ And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’” (Matthew 14: 28-30, NAS)

We read this passage and wonder how Peter could’ve been full of trust and walking on the water one minute and then, in an instant, sinking beneath the surface.  It’s obvious to us, 2000 years later, that he stayed on top of the waves as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus.  Peter, Peter—how could you be so faithless, so flaky?

Oh, I think I’m very much like Peter.  The storms of life come along (illness, financial struggles, etc.), and I wonder why I feel like I’m sinking deep into the dark, dangerous water of life.  If I step back and get still before God—I will have to admit that I took my eyes off of the Lord.  Why is it so easy to look at the turmoil nearby instead of focusing on the One who can save us from seemingly overpowering circumstances?

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“Need You Now” by the artist, Plumb. You can see video with full lyrics at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ylnx0NA9X4

Verse 2:   Standing on a road I didn’t plan

 Wondering how I got to where I am

I’m trying to hear that still small voice

I’m trying to hear above the noise

          Life gets so busy and filled with noise. A multitude of voices come at us, telling us what is right and what is wrong. The din of the world becomes so deafening that it is difficult to separate out God’s voice from rest of the clamor. Then, we wonder how we got to where we are at this moment.

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See video with full lyrics of “Need You Now” by the artist, Plumb, at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ylnx0NA9X4

                  1^st Verse:  Well, everybody’s got a story to tell

                                      And everybody’s got a wound to be healed

      Each one of us has a unique life, a “story” that no one else can lay claim to—not exactly anyway.  And, everyone has at least one part of that story that has caused heartache.  Sometimes the pain we deal with from those wounds may be so overwhelming that we cannot see beyond them.

                   1^st Verse (cont.):   I want to believe there’s beauty here

                                                 ‘Cause oh I get so tired of holding on

                                                  I can’t let go, I can’t move on

                                                  I want to believe there’s meaning here

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“Mom!  I can’t find my _____.”  You can fill in the blank—homework, favorite shirt, helmet, or (later on) car keys.  I’m will use the example of shoes.

“Don’t think I wore them,” I say.

“I know, but I can’t find them.”

“Did you look in your closet?”

“Well, no but I can’t find them.  Come help me, please.”

Of course, I drop what I’m doing and go to his aid.  And, since he’s been at it for 10 minutes now, I really doubt if his non-mom eyes are capable of locating those shoes.  I start my search, and 15 seconds later I’m standing in front of him with the objects of his distress in my hand.  “Are these what you’re looking for?”  And, I give him that look.  You know, that same one I’ve probably worn on my face a 1000 times before—but, who’s counting?

What my son was looking for was there all along, but somehow they escaped his field of vision.  The shoes didn’t suddenly appear when the mother figure (that would be me) of the house went hunting for them.

Oh, so much like life!  We all yearn for love, acceptance, and mercy—things only God can give us in the most complete and unconditional way possible.  Problem is we tend to search in all the wrong places for them.  We think He is hiding His goodness from us, and that just isn’t true.  I picture God trying to get our attention to tell us that He’s ready to give us all that is beneficial, genuine, and fulfilling.  All we have to do is ask.  “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”  (Matthew 7:7, NIV)

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