Godly Gals ~ Susanne Reeder
God has given me much occasion lately to “Be still and KNOW that He IS GOD“. And yet, even in the stillness, I doubt. Not Him…no, no…I have NO DOUBT my God is powerful, wonderful, tender, loving, and MIGHTY to save. He is my deliverer, my defender, my rescuer, and my very present help in time of need. So why am I doubting? Who do I doubt?One night, while the disciples were out in a boat on a storm tossed sea, they saw something truly amazing. Jesus had told them to go on ahead of him, and He had stayed behind to pray. During the fourth watch of the night, they were startled by what they supposed to be a ghost, walking on the water…coming toward them! Of course, like all us good disciples do when we see evidence of the power of God, they FREAKED OUT! Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid, guys…it’s just me.”
Then Peter did something that required immense faith. He said, “Okay Lord, if it’s really you…tell me to come out there and join you, and I will.” Can’t you just see Jesus right now?? So thrilled at the thought of working His power through one of his own. Just as he had done the very first time he’d ever called Peter, he said, “Come”.
Peter jumped out of the boat, and he, too walked on water! What a thrill that must have been! Can you even imagine?? I can just hear him now, looking back at his friends in the boat saying, “Hey, y’all! Watch this!!” But then, something happened. I don’t know, maybe a large, swirling wave unsteadied his feet. Maybe a shark or a whale swam by. Whatever it was, it caused Peter to take his eyes off Jesus, and examine the gravity of the situation. Before he knew it, Peter began to sink.
He cried out, “Lord, save me!! Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’ ”
I love that. Jesus IMMEDIATELY reached out his hand, and caught Peter. He rescued him, and took him to safety. But not without admonishment. Who did Peter doubt?? Certainly not Jesus. After all, he had had enough faith to say, “Lord, Save me!!” The one Peter doubted was himself.
Oh, man! How that truth speaks to me! I know that my God is able to do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine”, I just have a little trouble with the latter part of that verse which says “according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20).
Why would He, the God of the entire universe, want to work in ME? What have I to offer him but filthy rags, a jagged past, and a wretched soul? My eyes veer off the path way too quickly, for I am easily distracted. When the crashing waves of life, or the sharks of my past threaten…my first instinct is to bail. I want out. I lose sight of my faith in the call. Sounds like Peter and I have a lot in common doesn’t it?
When I doubt myself, and my ability to be used, I consider this passage:
Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1: 26-31)
I am so glad that Jesus uses fools like me! No more doubting!! I am going to BOAST in MY GOD and His DIVINE GREATNESS!! I will remember that day that I was called, and I will surrender to the molding and shaping of His will.
Here I am, God! Use me! Shake me! Wake me! Spend me! Work your MIGHTY POWER in my life…for YOUR honor, and YOUR glory. I am ready to walk on water with You!
I am the stay-at-home Mama of three precious gifts from God, and wife to the most wonderful guy on the planet!! My passions are cooking, cleaning (yes, I am OCD!), blogging, and singing His praises! I also love reaching out to other women and sharing the healing, freedom, and purpose that I have found in Christ. He’s the ABSOLUTE BEST THING that has ever happened to me!!
You’ll find me “Shining my Light and Reflecting His Glory” over at my blog, Truly Captivating. You can also find me on Twitter and Facebook!!
