I remember hearing a story about a guy getting flying lessons (his arms were pretty tired for a while, bah-dum-chhhh). While he was in the cockpit getting his training, he'd be instructed on and ask questions about the various gauges and indicators throughout the display, and one such that interested him the most was called the "Attitude indicator." According to the instructor, if the plane's attitude (the angle of the nose) was pointed up, the plane would stay up (there's more to gaining altitude, but I'm not a pilot or instructor, so you'll have to go find that one on your own). If it leveled off, even at level, the plane would begin to decrease in altitude. The plane's altitude was determined by its attitude. Peter was called to walk on water. Well, he invited himself out if the Lord called. Jesus called, and he walked on water! Peter did not begin to sink until he focused on the peripherals. He took his eyes off of Jesus and looked at the wind and the waves. looking at his circumstance, not His Lord, is what determined his altitude (and that was below the water line). In the same way, when we focus on the world around us, it brings us down. I see this all the time in Christians who focus on politics, family, and any of the peripherals. They're items that are of importance, but really can remove our attitude from the ONE who holds them all in His victorious righteous right hand. As we fix our eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, we see the fruits of the spirit bloom and multiply, as we focus on the world and its troubles, we sink in to the depression, anger, and bitterness the world produces. Adjust your attitude, fix it on Jesus, and watch, no matter what your circumstance, how you soar.
Matthew 14:22-33 English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus Walks on the Water
22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way[a] from the land,[b] beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night[c] he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind,[d] he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Footnotes:
a. Matthew 14:24 Greek many stadia, a stadion was about 607 feet or 185 meters
b.Matthew 14:24 Some manuscripts was out on the sea
c. Matthew 14:25 That is, between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.
d. Matthew 14:30 Some manuscripts strong wind
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