How Embarrassing (HS Gangway 3/18/09)

Thursday night our wonderfully faithful high school students graced us with their presence again. We truly do have a great group of young people who bring Chris and I tremendous joy as we spend time with them.
This past week I shared an embarrassing story about my first year at WA. It was during half-time at the homecoming football game. It involved driving a convertible Porsche across the field with two of the most popular girls (voted onto homecoming court) sitting parade-style in the back-seat. Well what was supposed to be a very cool opportunity quickly derailed. It is only by God's grace that I was not marked with shame for the rest of my high school days. (You will have to ask your students for the full story).
I transitioned into a similar experience in the Bible. It is the account recorded in the Gospels of Peter walking on water (Mt 14:22-34). Here's what happened:
1) The disciples saw something scary and cried out in fear.
2) Jesus identified Himself and encouraged them not to be afraid.
3) Peter sought confirmation, then stepped out in faith.
4) Peter took his eyes off Jesus, began to sink and cried out.
5) Jesus immediately rescued Peter and asked why he doubted.
6) They returned to the boat and all the disciples worshiped Jesus.
What started out as being an amazing opportunity to do something no one else had, turned into one embarrassing moment. God by His grace teaches us an important lesson through this humiliating time. As I have written about before, I believe the parallels to our situation here at CRPC are apparent. A few months ago we entered an unknown scary situation. We were presented with not just a new head pastor but also a joining of two congregations. Both sides were were not sure what was happening. So we all cried out to God asking if this was of God. God answered He was in it. But before we stepped out in faith, we desired to confirm that Jesus was calling us to step out of our comfort zone (boat). He did. By a unanimous vote of both sessions and 91% of the congregation, God confirmed He was calling us to step out on the water. This is what's happened. Now we find ourselves in the uncharted territory, trying to keep our eyes on Christ while we are getting soaked by the wind and waves. Here is the point that I wanted all the students to grasp as we move ahead. Peter messed up. He took his eyes off of Jesus. He started to sink. After seeing it was Jesus walking on the water, after waiting on Jesus to call him out on the sea to walk with Him, Peter botched it.
All of us are like Peter. Every single one of us. We are all going to mess up at one point or another. From our new pastor, our new leadership teams, and of course even the students themselves. None of us are perfect. So now that we know this, we need to be gracious to each other when (not if) we mess up. Just as I desire grace when I falter, I need to give grace when others do the same. As we move forward to serve God together, let us be reminded that the only one who will never let us down is the one Peter cried out to in faith when he started to sink. The passage tells us that Jesus immediately took hold of Peter. He will do the same with us.
When Jesus and Peter returned to the boat, all the disciples worshiped Jesus. Isn't that our goal? To journey with our Savior in faith, even if we start to sink, and end up with all the saints together in worship. So may we do what is right, love mercy, and walk humbly with our LORD.

In His presence & by His power,
Bear