My parents and I have always had a complicated relationship. Although we have a very close bond with one another, we also have a lot of cultural and personality differences. Fights seemed like a normal part of our relationship, our arguments had begun to escalate, and I felt like I was being constantly attacked.
“If you don’t consistently clean your room, you’re never going to find a job.”
“This is why you’ll never make it.”
“What makes you think you’ll ever succeed with that attitude?”
“It’s like you’re not even thankful for the roof we provide for you.”
“Look at the way you dress, do you think anyone will like you when you look like that?”
At one point, I could not take in any of their words anymore, so I fought back with my own arrogant, hurtful, angry words. And from there it became an endless cycle of betrayal, anger, resentment, and exhaustion. Fights would grow disproportionately, hatred would spiral dangerously, and my faith in anything would slowly disappear.
My heart was flooded with bitterness after every argument, and I had no intention of letting the feelings go. But the more I held onto my angry feelings, the more I felt lonely and isolated from everything and everyone around me. I was pushing away friends, the career I once so lovingly carried seemed overwhelming, and my life was melting into a puddle of hopelessness.
While wrestling with my selfish heart, I went to church for the first time in a long time, begging God for help and pleading for freedom. The pastor preached on Matthew 14, unpacking the story of Jesus walking on water and inviting Peter to do the same. The pastor encouraged us to also follow Jesus and walk on water, even if it may feel like a dangerous risk. He explained, “The reason why Jesus makes us get out of the boat with confidence is because He wants us to know that He is God.”
As I absorbed the sermon, I realized that I had not been trusting God to be God. Instead, I was heavily dependent on worldly things, forgetting that they only bring temporary satisfaction. And once the worldly things disappointed me, I would turn to God with a closed heart, shaking my fist and screaming at Him like a child.
But through the storms and turbulence of my life’s situation, Jesus was calling me to trust him and step out of the boat and onto the waves with my friends, my job, and most importantly in my relationship with my parents. Here are three truths that I learned through Matthew 14 that I hope will encourage you to get out of the boat, even you are in difficult storms and seasons.
1. There is always a reason why God invites us into storms
Many people have a misconception of God and His intentions. They think God puts us through difficult seasons to harm us, haphazardly, or for no reason.
But what kind of good Father would do such a thing to the children He loves so well? Instead, we know that God disciplines the ones he loves (Hebrews 12:6). When we go through storms or are called to walk into the water, maybe God is trying to teach us something new or maybe reveal himself even more. God opens this door because He wants to remind you that He is God and therefore greater than all.
God never has intentions of hurting you. Rather, He wants you to know how deep His love is for you and how willing He is to go to the depths with you as long as you let Him.
2. Sin is loud, but the Spirit speaks softly
When the pastor first said the above sentence, I was very confused. I thought, “If God is greater than all, shouldn’t He be the loudest voice we hear?”
When Peter heard the winds and saw the waves, he began to sink into the water (v. 30). We will often fail at hearing the Spirit because we take our eyes off Jesus. But he will always rescue us, as he caught Peter from drowning under the waves.
But the reason why God speaks so quietly is that He wants our hearts to be quiet to hear Him in the midst of all the world’s chaos. My worldly desires and temptation soften speak so much louder than God does. Whenever I feel spiritually tested, I gravitate towards things that seem stronger and louder than God for instant gratification.
One blessing we forget to realize is having faith in a God who is stronger and louder than anything. Even though the winds howl and the waves rage, we can trust in the savior who says, “Come.”
3. God is and always will be sovereign
God is the creator of all things. Therefore his concern is not the condition of the waves or the wind, which he can command according to his will, but our willingness to obey and come.
God may look small in the midst of so much chaos and turmoil, but the difference between being intimidated by the waves and trusting with even the smallest amount of faith is our knowledge that God will always remain who He is. Nothing can change Him and His love for us. Jesus can control and calm the storm, so it only makes sense to hold onto the one who has control rather than the thing that is being controlled. We can trust him as we follow him into the water.
I’m still learning what it means to be a faithful servant. I’m reminding myself every day that God is never going to let me go even when I’m ready to let go of Him. God commanded me to walk on treacherous waters multiple times, and I have decided to follow His voice. But I will admit that it’s been hard to trust Him when waves are constantly crashing against me. But even when I start to falter, I know that Jesus is there to catch me and put my feet back on top of the water.
My parents and I still fight. We get in each other’s ways sometimes. And we still find it very hard to compromise or find a middle ground between our perspectives. But I know that God’s love is constant and never wavering, and I want to exemplify that love, even when there are difficulties. And I am willing to walk on water with Him. because I know He will be with me from beginning to end.