Silvannas (blue shirt) on his way to Spring Village debate
By Silvannas McKenzie (Kingstown Church of Christ, SVG)
There are many things in this world that can cause us to be afraid; things that test our faith in God. Our eyes see fear, and instantaneously we become intimidated. Our ears hear the thunder - sound of things that tell us falsely that a disaster is about to happen, and our humanistic minds begin to waver, very much like the apostle Peter.
The story is taken from the book of Matthew, chapter 14, verses 22 to 33. In verse 24 it tells us of the environmental calamity the disciples of Jesus were experiencing, where it states that the boat was tossed by the waves, for the winds was contrary. Even I myself would have been very frighten. Furthermore, verse 26 tells us that they were troubled because they saw someone walking upon the sea. Perceiving Him to be a ghost, they cried out for fear. But in verse 27, we hear Jesus' words of assurance to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
Sometimes, Christ reveals that He is with us, as He did with Peter in verse 28, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And the Lord said, “Come”. At this point, we sometimes become brave (but for a little while). When we start to take our eyes and ears off Jesus, we give room for fear to enter and become afraid because of the circumstances around us, like Peter did in verse 30.
I have experienced similar struggles in my life that test my faith in God. Recently, my family (the Church) and I were making a 16 mile (one way) journey to attend a debate in an area called Spring Village. [LISTEN TO DEBATE] The transport used to accommodate with the number of persons was a big commuter bus. My younger brother and I sat together in the row that was second from the back, right corner. As the bus approached a sharp banked turn, Gibson’s Corner, we heard noises coming from underneath the bus that sound like if the parts (including the brakes) wanted to fall out. While the noises continued, we became afraid, knowing that to get to Spring Village, we would have to descend even more steep and sharp corners. As the fear grew, the movie, Final Destination, arose in our thoughts. As we discussed it, rain began to fall.
This was too much for me to handle, so I bowed my head and went to God in a word of prayer. After I had prayed, the amount of fear that arose had subsided drastically. I won’t say that the fear went away 100%, but I felt braver now, knowing that God knows and sees all things and that He is the Great Protector. What do I have to fear?
There are many things in this world that can cause us to be afraid; things that test our faith in God. Our eyes see fear, and instantaneously we become intimidated. Our ears hear the thunder - sound of things that tell us falsely that a disaster is about to happen, and our humanistic minds begin to waver, very much like the apostle Peter.
The story is taken from the book of Matthew, chapter 14, verses 22 to 33. In verse 24 it tells us of the environmental calamity the disciples of Jesus were experiencing, where it states that the boat was tossed by the waves, for the winds was contrary. Even I myself would have been very frighten. Furthermore, verse 26 tells us that they were troubled because they saw someone walking upon the sea. Perceiving Him to be a ghost, they cried out for fear. But in verse 27, we hear Jesus' words of assurance to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
Sometimes, Christ reveals that He is with us, as He did with Peter in verse 28, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And the Lord said, “Come”. At this point, we sometimes become brave (but for a little while). When we start to take our eyes and ears off Jesus, we give room for fear to enter and become afraid because of the circumstances around us, like Peter did in verse 30.
I have experienced similar struggles in my life that test my faith in God. Recently, my family (the Church) and I were making a 16 mile (one way) journey to attend a debate in an area called Spring Village. [LISTEN TO DEBATE] The transport used to accommodate with the number of persons was a big commuter bus. My younger brother and I sat together in the row that was second from the back, right corner. As the bus approached a sharp banked turn, Gibson’s Corner, we heard noises coming from underneath the bus that sound like if the parts (including the brakes) wanted to fall out. While the noises continued, we became afraid, knowing that to get to Spring Village, we would have to descend even more steep and sharp corners. As the fear grew, the movie, Final Destination, arose in our thoughts. As we discussed it, rain began to fall.
This was too much for me to handle, so I bowed my head and went to God in a word of prayer. After I had prayed, the amount of fear that arose had subsided drastically. I won’t say that the fear went away 100%, but I felt braver now, knowing that God knows and sees all things and that He is the Great Protector. What do I have to fear?
The bus went to and from Spring Village safe and sound. There were still parts of the journey where I wanted to come out, but my faith in Christ kept me, and the encouragement of the spiritual songs that were playing (for example, Our God is an Awesome God) helped boost my confidence.
There is much more that I can say about the journey, but I will say this - It was a one to remember. To get the whole story, you just had to have been there.
All of this has been shared to remind us (you and I) know that God is the same yesterday, today and forever more. Circumstances around us change, but God does not. Remember Joshua 1:9?...
“Have I not commanded you?
Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid;
do not be discouraged,
for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
There is much more that I can say about the journey, but I will say this - It was a one to remember. To get the whole story, you just had to have been there.
All of this has been shared to remind us (you and I) know that God is the same yesterday, today and forever more. Circumstances around us change, but God does not. Remember Joshua 1:9?...
“Have I not commanded you?
Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid;
do not be discouraged,
for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
