Are You Sinking?

Growing up in the Quinn household was a little different than some other houses. There were definite expectations and rules that were not up for discussion. From a young age, I learned the definition and value of tough love. I knew that my parents loved us, but I also knew just as strongly that they were preparing us for the challenges that lay ahead. One example that comes to mind is when Dad taught me and my sister how to swim.

There were no paid lessons involved from a certified instructor in a controlled environment. We did not dip our toes in first to become accustomed to being in the water. Instead, we drove out to a family friend's pond, loaded up into a small rowboat and made our way out from shore. Dad stops the boat and tells us he is going to teach us how to swim. At this point, he lifts me up (I was the youngest) and throws me in the water. His instructions were simply, "swim back to the boat". He then proceeds to do the same to my older sister. Our responses were very different. I moved my arms and legs as fast as I could to stay above the water. While my sister sank like a rock, screaming at the top of her lungs. Calmly, Dad told both of us to stand up. After some frantic discussion, we both listened and did as he said. Fortunately, we were only in water about four foot deep.

In the Book of Matthew (14:22-33) we read about Jesus and Peter on the water. The disciples were on a boat with a terrible storm brewing around them. It was then and there they saw Jesus walking across the water. Peter yelled out to Jesus and said he wanted to be out there with Him. Jesus invited Peter to join Him and he did. Peter walked on the water as he focused on Jesus. But notice when he turned his attention to the storms around him is when he began to sink.

Like Peter, do you feel yourself sinking under the pressures, expectations and standards of this world? Are you focused more on the storms in your life than on the One who can (and has) calmed them? If you feel like you are drowning, I encourage you to turn your eyes towards Jesus, grab onto His hand and hold on for dear life...

Pastor Aaron