Jesus walked on water. Peter, by faith in Jesus, walked on the water out to him. He walked by faith... he had to. If he saw what he was doing, it would be obvious to his human observation that it's not possible. He had faith and focused only on Jesus. There was nothing around him solid enough for him to cling to, hold onto, stand on, or be supported by, yet he stood firm and even walked forward, focused on Christ. To have faith is to have nothing to support it, nothing to back it up, nothing to stand on, but focus on Christ and walk. It's so clear and easy to look to back and see the boat, solid and floating on the water, to look to the right and see the waves as bigger and higher and stronger than you, to look to the left and see the storm raging on, mighty, powerful, dark, destructive, uncontrollable, and to look down and doubt what you thought you were standing on -- water...? weak, flimsy, flowing, faulty, shakey, transparent water. At first the only focus was forward, Jesus. Faith in Jesus was the beginning of the walk. The whisper in the wind? the pitter patter of raindrops on the water? the flash of lightning and roar of thunder? what is distracting me from looking forward, focusing on Jesus, and walking to him? my feet feel wet... and i get this sinking feeling i'm stepping in over my head... "Lord save me!"~Peter "Lord I believe, help my unbelief!"~ The boy's father ::Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.:: "You of little faith, why do you doubt?" ~Jesus
it was the wind -- it was the waves -- it was the woman -- it was what you gave me --... no... it was me... i doubt by nature... Lord! ...please forgive me for doubting.