At sea, one feels safe on a ship. But when a severe storm comes and the ship is taking water, all certainties disappear. So it is not strange at all that the disciples could only think of a ghost when they saw Jesus calmly walking on the waves. And seeing their agony Jesus called out to them, ‘Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid!’
What a precious word amidst the raging forces of nature. Are we not just like Peter? After all, when life’s stormy seas get rough and our own ship turns out not to be so safe anymore, then we cry, ‘Tell me to come to You on the water!’
The way to the Lord is not a well-paved road, but turbulent water. And Jesus answers, ‘Come!’ All too often I hear people reply to this call of Jesus, ‘I cannot!’ That is what Peter too could have - and should have - said if he had looked upon himself and upon the waves. But in his desire to be safe with Jesus, he only looked upon Him Who called him, ‘Come!’
To let go of all our own relative certainties and to step overboard to go to Jesus is foolish, except to those who see Jesus as He is standing amidst the threatening violence of this world. As soon as we hear His voice calling for us, we know this is no illusion but reality, and when He says, ‘Come!’ the impossible becomes possible.
Peter left all certainties behind and let go of everything to be with Jesus. When we too leave our nearly sunken ship to follow Jesus, we should only look upon Him. For if – in such circumstances - we use our ‘common sense’, we too will sink into the depths. But if we then cry out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Jesus will, without reproach, reach out His hand towards us too and save us!