“So fellas, can anyone actually walk on the water?”
“So fellas, can anyone actually walk on the water?”
That was the question tossed out to a group of 3rd and 4th grade boys last week, who attended the week of summer camp at Camp Allen that Lisa and I led. We were kicking off a Bible study about one of the great gospel stories, the story from Matthew chapter 14 where Jesus walks on the water, and then invites Peter to do the same and walk towards Him. Peter takes a few watery, faithful steps, but then when faced with a mighty wind, is overcome by fear and begins to sink.
“Lets try it!'' one boy shouted.
That suggestion, I am certain, sparked by the fact that we were having our bible study by a pool. I was there simply as moral and spiritual support, and the Bible study was led by a few college kids working as camp counselors at Camp Allen for the summer. They led the boys in a wonderful discussion about facing fears and doubts. Their main point being that what’s most important is not the walking on water bit, but that God can be trusted. This means that with God, even with swirling winds, Peter was safe. And so are we.
Yet, for one little boy, he was totally focused on the walking on the water bit, as he was still working on the initial idea about the possibility of someone actually walking on the water. The college kids tried to keep the little guy focused, saying repeatedly that their point was not about if someone can actually walk on water. His interruptions continued:
“I got it!” the boy shouted. “You can freeze the water and then you could walk on it!”
At first I was ready to join in with the counselors, and in my deep and loud adult voice tell the little guy that it was enough interruptions, that how he walked on the water wasn’t the point, the point was that he was safe with God.
But then it struck me that the boy was on to something. With each interruption and finally with his “freeze the water” answer, the little guy was actually reaching out to God. God can feel mysterious and miraculous and loving all at the same time. He is a God who is not bothered with our curiosities and big questions, in fact He welcomes them as nothing makes Him prouder than us wondering and thinking and being curious about Him. It is, in fact, a relationship that He desires to have with us.
Yes, in God’s arms we are safe: that’s a great point of the story. But it’s not the only point that’s important. God is a fan of our attempts to know Him and in the midst of being wowed and amazed, He welcomes our curiosity.
I have yet to walk on water. But there are amazing manifestations of God’s presence in our lives, swirling around us every day. I hope that we can all pause long enough to remember that we are both safe in God’s arms AND to be curious about the mystery and miracles always before us.
Blessings,
Fr. Korey Wright +