Kimberly refers to me as a "distracted driver." I wish I could argue with her, but it is true. When I drive I like to read signs, bumper stickers, take in the view and do just about everything but keep my eyes straight ahead. And those stupid rumble strips on the side of the highway are a dead give away every time I look too long to the right or left. We'll rumble across them and the whole car-- wife, kids and all--will echo, "Daddy, keep your eyes on the road."
In the men's Bible study/accountability group I am in on Wednesdays (By the way, these men are incredibly courageous in their honesty and they crack me up), we have been studying the book of Proverbs. I have not been able to get away from what we looked at a couple of weeks ago. Proverbs 4:25-27 says, "Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil."
In other words, what gets me in trouble in driving will get us all in trouble in life. The wise one of Proverbs warns us to not even look to the left or right. Keep your eyes fixed straight ahead.
As I was reading this, my mind was then drawn to another part of the Bible. It is the story of Jesus walking on water. Peter cries out, "If it is you Lord let me walk out to you." Jesus tells Peter to come to him. Peter steps out of the boat. He is walking on water! Its amazing! Its a miracle!
But then the Scripture says Peter took his eyes off of the One he was walking toward and looked all around at the waves. As soon as he saw the waves he began to sink. Jesus rescued him and rebuked him for his lack of faith. The reason Peter's faith failed was because he looked to the right and the left. And when we look at the waves of a storm it is scary. Had Peter kept his eyes fixed straight ahead on Jesus he could have continued walking on water.
I encourage you today! Jesus wants you to walk on water with him. Keep your eyes fixed straight ahead. Jesus invites you to step out of the boat and its only scary if you take your eyes off of him.
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