MAX ON LIFE

20. Life is filled with more changes right now than I can handle. I just graduated from high school, I'm moving away to attend college, my boyfriend has left me, and my parents are getting a divorce! I feel as if I'm sinking beneath a sea of change.

Nobody likes change..... except babies. They cry for a change.

The rest of us like small degrees of change but never dramatic, earth-rocking shifts of patterns and routines.

With change comes fear, insecurity, sorrow, and stress. What's the best solution? Hide and hope it all goes away? Never works. Change finds you.

Your cry of sinking beneath a sea of change reminds me of Peter. He and his pals were sailing on calm waters when all of a sudden a storm hit. The winds changed. The waves rose. Not the kind of change a fisherman desires.

"During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. 'It's a ghost', they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid'. 'Lord, if it's you,' Peter replied, 'tell me to come to you on the water" (Matt 14:25-28).

When he saw Jesus walking on water, Peter decided to get a little change of scenery; to abandon the ship, and to step out in faith on the water.

The change worked.

" 'Come', he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus." (v 29)

It is possible to walk right over the storms of change. Peter proved it! Unfortunately, one other thing changed. Peter's faith.

"But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!' Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You of little faith', he said, 'why did you doubt?' " (vv 30-31)

Can't really blame Peter for the momentary lapse of security. The wind and waves were scary.

If only Peter had relied on Jesus' strength.... Don't be afraid.

If only Peter had trusted Jesus' command.... Come.

If only Peter had stayed faithful.... Why doubt?

One thing to remember: As Peter sank, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" He knew where to find help.

And Jesus reached out his hand to catch Peter.

That's another thing that never changes. Jesus is always there to pull us to safety.

By: Max Lucado