Fellowship United Methodist Church

3-D Pictures

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Matthew 14:30 Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Matthew 14:30                  Do you remember the 3-D posters or pictures that we popular in the late 20th century?  These pictures were made up of series of shapes of different colors?  If you stared at the picture eventually an image would emerge.  Some could find the picture by only staring for a short period of time.  Others it would take longer, and for some the picture was illusive.  However, if you looked away or lost your focus the image would disappear.                 As I think about this art form, I am reminded of our relationship with Jesus.  Peter asked Jesus to allow him to walk on the water.  Peter did just fine until he remembered where he was, walking on a storm tossed sea.  When he looked down and lost his focus, he began to falter.  What did Jesus do…he reached out his hand and rescued him.  I believe that we too are like Peter.  As long as we have our eyes focused on Jesus, we are able to stand firm in the challenges of life and remain unafraid.  It is when we take our eyes off Christ and focus  on the world that our faith begins to falter and we become scared.                   Just as Jesus was with Peter and rescued him, Jesus is walking with us on our storm tossed seas of life.  As long as our eyes stay focused on Christ, we are able to continue walking.  It is when our faith falters, our eyes not focused on him, that fear and doubt comes in and we begin to sink.   Lent helps me to refocus my “eyes of faith”, to renew my faith.  It is during this time that I am reminded of whom I am and who God is and what God is capable of doing in my life and the lives of others.  How are your “eyes of faith” this morning?  Are they focused on God? Prayer:  Precious Lord, help me to keep my eyes focused on you and not the ways of the world.  Help me to not become overwhelmed but to put my trust in you.   Thanks you for your presence and protection in my life. Amen