You Make Me Brave

I don't think I've ever been as expectant for a new year as I am for 2016... My rationale in this regard however, is, how do I say, not so rational. There's a great account in the bible however, that helps me understand the rationale of irrational faith. I'm sure you know the story, the disciples are in the boat, in a very stormy sea...

"And in the fourth watch of the night he (Jesus) came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind,[c] he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” - Matt. 14 v25-31.

So Peter asks Jesus if he can get out of the boat, and come to him on the water. Mmm, that wasn't terribly rational if you think about it... In fact, it had no basis in reality whatsoever! But we all know that Peter does the impossible. The irresistible call and power of the God-man Jesus, standing before him on the waves, was enough for Peter to cast reality aside, and step out of the boat on that stormy night.

Here's my point. A new year always offers up time for us to press the reset button, about what we would like to see change or happen. Sometimes however (most times!), it feels like these things are just straight impossible or irrational. Not so with Jesus, because the God-man still stands on the waves before you and I today. 

With this in mind, and for us as a family, 2016 has had a pretty stormy start... 

• My work with The Hope Factory has all but dried up. To date this has covered about 60% of our living expenses
• Our Sandton flat rental, which makes up another 30% of the budget, is unoccupied as i speak
• The 10 or so family and friends who have been contributing to our budget will be closing the taps as of March
• I have not received much interest as regards funding of the motorized bicycle business, which i had hoped would be up and running by now
• Dannean is planning her 1st full year of homeschooling Tristan and Connor this year, which is obviously something she has never done before (teach yes, home-school no), and there is a great difference between the 2 we have discovered!
• We continue to wait on Loftie, our adoption social worker, to identify an adoptable baby daughter for our family, who when she arrives (which could be anytime) will be added to the stormy waters above!

I have often heard said, that of all the people in the bible, Peter offers more hope than most when it comes to being used and delivered by God, despite being an outspoken, over-confident, foot in mouth, fisherman. Lets just say me and Peter have a lot in common! So at times like this, when the the wind is howling and the waves are washing on board, God's word (the bible) reminds me that Peter got out of a boat, in a storm, and did the impossible. 

But not only that, it also tells me that before I expect the impossible, and do the irrational, I must ask myself... Will this step of 'faith' be taking me closer to Jesus? If not, well then I have faith, but it's not in the master of the universe! Peter only walked on the water because of who he was walking toward, and so it must be for you and I!

Time will tell (and my next post!) if we manage the impossible, but for now, my darling wife and I feel brave enough to get out of the boat... But only because of the one who beckons;

"Do not be afraid.. Come, O you of little faith"

LOVE