Taken from a devotional given by Jaime Weakley, director of the Discipleship Training School with YWAM San Pedro.
Some time ago, God made us think about where we have come from and what we have done for Him in the middle of a season so full of ministry.
God gave me a vision of myself on roller skates, but it wasn’t exciting to me. I was just going with the flow and not enjoying the journey.
The Bible tells us that Peter went out to Jesus walking on water and lost his focus. He puts his eyes to other things and he began to sink in the water. But I have to repent of my passive attitude like that of Peter.
There are parts in the Bible where Jesus encourages us to have faith and put it into practice.
Luke 7:1-10, “The Faith of the Centurion.” The centurion asked Jesus that He say
only the WORD and he knows that his servant would be healed. At hearing this, Jesus was amazed and said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” And the servant was healed.
Mark 2:1-12, “Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man”. The paralyzed man was lowered through the roof because there was a multitude of people in front of Jesus. On seeing the value in this, Jesus encouraged His friends to not give up.
Mark 5:24-34, the woman who was subject to bleeding. If only she could just touch the edge of His cloak, she knew that she would be free and that she would be healed.
Mark 7:24-29, the Syrophoenician woman with the demonic daughter went to Jesus and He responds to her in the least expected way, “I only came for the lost sheep of Israel.” She answers back, “Even the dogs eat the crumbs from their master.” She insists and DOES NOT GIVE UP.
Mark 10:46-52, the blind man Bartimaeus in the middle of the crowd yelled, “Jesus, son of David.” Jesus possibly already heard him but He waited for the blind man to go to Him.
Many of us are in a stage where we are already tired so we are just coasting trying to reach the end or we try to walk on the water without looking at Jesus.
But I want to us to remember why we do the things that we do: Faith comes
from hearing the Word of God. We have the Word of God to demonstrate mercy! For this reason, we build homes for poor people, we give food to the kids on the street, we visit prisons, we evangelize in parks and we show the love of God to the
outcasts…
Also, God has commanded us to mobilize the church and to raise up real Christian young people, a new generation of missionaries!
We have the calling and the privilege to serve one another with JOY!
Peter was sinking on having taken his eyes off of Jesus. Wouldn’t it be great if Jesus told us, “You sank yet you have great faith!!” What answer would you expect from your master?
We do not have to give up on our calling! We have to come to Jesus! Thomas, the disciple, went down in history not for being a man of faith, but an incredulous man.
Perseverance of the children of God comes from having total trust in Jesus, believing that that comes from Him. He gives the grace and strength to do what He has called us to do. THERE IS NO REASON TO GIVE UP!
So we have to enjoy riding on our skates and look to Jesus so we can reach Him and live a full life of faith.