There was a moment in Peter’s life when he faced a choice to focus on either the storm or the Lord. It is in the memorable Gospel story in which Peter was walking on the water toward Jesus. As the Gospel recounts,
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink (Mt 14:30).
It is so difficult for us. We seem wired for the negative, wired to be anxious, doubtful, on the alert for any danger. It takes great faith to keep our sights focused on the Lord, who alone can save us and will save us if we trust in Him. But too easily the world, the flesh, and the devil seek to steal our serenity and snatch from us our ability to see God. And losing that ability, whether through careless neglect or weakness, we are overwhelmed by the fears of the world that loom large. SO often our loss of the sight of God has us frantically running about wondering what to do. Scripture says,
For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: By waiting and by calm you shall be saved, in quiet and in trust shall be your strength. But this you did not will. “No,” you said, “Upon horses we will flee.” Very well, you shall flee! “Upon swift steeds we will ride.” Very well, but not as swift as your pursuers! (Is 30:15–17)
Scripture further warns,
- For you have forgotten the God of your salvation, and have not remembered the Rock of your refuge (Is 17:10).
- You were unmindful of the Rock that begot you, and you forgot the God who gave you birth (Dt 32:18–19).
- But they soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel (Ps 106:13).
Indeed, do not forget the works of the Lord!
I thought of these things as I watched this little cartoon. It features an astronaut of sorts. He is in a threatening place, alone in orbit high above the earth. But he has a picture of his beloved, likely his wife, and this consoles him. He struggles to keep his eyes on his beloved as his fears grow. He loses his connection with her as the warning bells sound and he rushes about in a panic. Finally, his fears wholly snatch his beloved from his sight and his fears overwhelm him.
And this is a picture of us, too, who so easily allow our fears to sever our connections with our Father in Heaven. How quickly our fears, elicited by the world, the flesh, and the devil, snatch away our connection with God. And then our fears loom large, overwhelming us.
Do not forget the works of the Lord!
i was beset by utter absolute terror of losing God. Not understanding the strength of the enemy working on me. One afternoon, i was crying over hurting my beloved Jesus and felt that all was lost over this perceived minor sin. i went and laid on my bed on my right side weeping. i heard a voice within me asking me what was i doing and i told Him i was under the broom tree with Elijah.
Such a rush of love poured into me! He said, nothing, nothing will take you from Me. Trust this My child. From that moment forward, this terror and struggle has lessened significantly. i understand now that it will never leave me completely, but if i keep myself in Him all day every day, the strength to fight back will be there. Your beautiful meditation captures this perfectly.