Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.

— Matthew 14:25

At Rock Spring on the Appala­chian Trail, I woke to a cold and windy day under threatening clouds. By the time I had finished breakfast, it was sleeting. Soon I was walking in a swirling snowstorm, barely able to see the path ahead.

Walking on snow is the closest I’ll ever come to walking on water. Only Jesus can do that.

When Jesus walked across the stormy sea to meet his disciples, they saw that he was more than a teacher. Jesus is God, the Lord of creation. Nature is under his feet. He transcends natural law and controls the wind and the waves.

Inviting Peter to step out of the boat and onto the water, Jesus called Peter to trust in him. And Peter had to trust Jesus fully, embracing his leading and guidance in the slippery, uncertain place he was walking.

Jesus calls us to trust him too, and, like Peter, we often fail. When we see where we are stepping, our doubts quickly become terrorizing, and we feel ourselves sinking helplessly into the deep. Jesus calls us to look to him alone, and he reaches out his hand to us. Turning to Jesus, we are again in the care of the One who controls the wind and the waves. Jesus will never let us sink.

Lord Jesus, give us the faith to trust you wherever you lead us along the paths of life. In your name we pray. Amen.