Pensiamentos de Peter

Then he made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. "It is a ghost," they said, and they cried out in fear. At once [Jesus] spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter said to him reply, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, "Truly, you are the Son of God." (Matthew 14: 22-33)

Reading through this one might first think, "Wow, Jesus will always be there for us when we fall." And that's true and definitely a beautiful thing to be sure of, but it's not why I decided to post it tonight.
Rather, I wanted to delve into Peter's mind while he took his first step (or two). It's interesting how the scripture skims over the fact that Peter, a regular being, was actually WALKING ON WATER! That just blows my mind. I can picture it in my mind: Peter taking unsure steps as if walking on eggshells, face aghast, alternating his gaze of amazement at the water and at Jesus.
Now that I'm a couple weeks in for teaching, I really find myself wondering if Peter and I are sharing some thoughts. Here I am, in the middle of a job that I didn't really think I was capable of, and I'm doing it! I'm walking on the water, amazed that it's possible. I see how thin that water film is. I know that there is a huge risk of drowning. But yet, I am here and moving one foot at a time.

As far as teaching goes, boy does that stress me out! Mad props to everyone who dedicates their lives to education. All the years of schooling you put in and hard work inside and outside the classroom are immeasurable in their necessity. These first couple months of teaching seem to be like one big research project for me. I read online, looking for helpful tips and worksheets for my kids. But the biggest wealth of knowledge definitely comes from my teacher friends back home (thank you so much!) With their help, God, the gifts of knowledge and wisdom, my laptop and books here: I hope that this water I walk on will become sturdier ground. It's all about maintaining focus on Christ. He's what it is all about. Mission is for Him, and by Him. All because He said, "Come," and I stepped out of my boat. And now, each day is one more motion towards Jesus on the water, beckoning.

During the mornings, if wifi works, I like to listen to sermons on my iPhone (thanks Justin!). The first series I listened to was about the Theology of Suffering. Without going into too much detail, the guy said something that really correlates to this passage. He used an example of a little kid standing on the edge of a pool with a father in the water saying, "Jump." And the kid stands on the edge of the pool. Struggling with what he knows to be true about water and concrete edges and what he knows to be true about his dad. We cannot let our circumstances paralyze us or believe that our circumstances (be in the wind for Peter, or the edge of the pool for a child) are bigger than our Father. So cheers, to realizing that God above all and truly by His great power, ALL things are possible: even me, barely 20 years old, living and working in a foreign country.

Please continue to pray for all missionaries throughout the world and today, for all the souls of the departed <3