When Peter stepped out onto the water, Jesus didn't calm the storm before he walked. Maybe that was the point. Peace isn't found in perfect conditions or the absence of chaos. It's found by locking eyes with the Prince of Peace himself.
We spend so much energy trying to stop the wind and smooth the waves. We pray to get OUT of situations instead of learning to walk THROUGH them with Jesus. But here's the beautiful truth: unlike every other religion where we climb up to reach God, Christianity is the story of God coming down to us.
When Peter began to sink, he didn't reach out and grab Jesus. Jesus reached out and caught him. That's our God. He comes to us. He reaches for us. He saves us.
This Advent season, we celebrate the gift of a God who doesn't wait for us to get it together, who doesn't require perfect weather conditions. He steps into our storms, extends His hand, and offers us a peace that makes absolutely no sense given our circumstances. A peace that surpasses all understanding.
The waves may still be crashing. The wind may still be howling. But when you lock eyes with Jesus, you discover a wholeness, a shalom, that the world can't give and the storm can't take away.
Stop running from the storm. Turn and face the Prince of Peace standing in the middle of it.
