Chill the challenge
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”— Matthew 14:28
We may or may not realize it but, like Peter, we confront or challenge Jesus.
We confront or challenge Jesus in direct and indirect ways. For example, we challenge Jesus when we get a divine nudge to move in a new direction yet still go our own way. We confront Jesus when we ask him to show us—that is, really show us—who he is. We also challenge Jesus when, like Peter, we pose an if/then.
If/then challenges tend to be immature. They are usually “in the heat of the moment” prayers or laments. There is nothing wrong with these prayers or laments. In fact, these prayers and laments are as necessary as a toddler’s eruption over something that to the little one has gone terribly, terribly wrong. These outbursts have to happen or we’ll burst or break.
Peter would agree it’s only after time and our repetition that we will chill on the challenges. This chill—this trust that God does indeed have this—is not just good, it’s wonderful not now and again, but all the time.
Challenge God if you must. But expect, in time, that you’ll be more and more like Peter in that you’ll be one who chills the challenges.
PRAYER: Lord, when we are hot or cold, angry or at peace, anxious or calm, help us keep walking and walking and walking toward you. Amen.
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