A Day-by-day devotional

February 5, 2023

Swimming through Life

Chronological One Year Bible Reading Plan: Exodus 30-31

Scripture of the Day: Matthew 14: 22-33

None of us walks on water. How we wish we all do. But we don’t and we wouldn’t.

A very good friend of mine is fond of telling me, “Let’s just keep swimming.” Yes, we have to swim through life’s tides and waves. For if we don’t learn to do that, we would be beaten by the harsh currents that would try to toss us about. We wouldn’t make it through shore. There’s just no way.

There was however, one man who walked on water. One man who was just man. His name was Peter. Simon Peter. In his time, he was called the rock. He was, however, far from being some kind of action super hero. He was, in fact, but an ordinary fisherman.

In that incident when Jesus walked on water and Peter came towards Him, also walking on water, Peter faltered midway. He began to sink. Jesus told him, “You of little faith.”

In life, we are never meant to walk on water. We may have a faith that can move mountains (Matthew 17:20-21), still there will be times when trials come our way, that it would falter. Even Peter who had physically been with Jesus had moments when his faith failed him. Nevertheless, in the midst of that moment when he was sinking because he lost his faith and was overtaken by his fear, Jesus reached out his hand to pull him up and save him.

It should be the same with us. It is inevitable for trials and difficulties to come our way. Storms would appear in life, oftentimes when we least expect them. And when they hit, they hit hard, leaving us sinking and probably almost drowning. However, no matter how deep into the waters we have sunk, we could count on Jesus to reach out His hand and pull us out.

Our faith may falter, but He, our Lord, would always remain faithful! And because He is always there to catch and save us when we fall, sink and drown, we just have to continue swimming through life. After all, no matter how high the tide and how torrential and dangerous the waves are, we have a Lifeguard quick enough to save us.

Reflection: In times of triumph, we would constantly feel like walking on water. But it is a fact of life that when the storm comes, we would lose our glide. What do you do in this situation? Do you hold on to your faith and keep swimming, or do you, already feeling drowned, not even bother to reach out to the Lifeguard who reaches out to save you?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that despite my little faith, you remain faithful. Thank you that even if I couldn’t walk on water, you keep on helping me swim through life. Amen.