Hold On To Me Only

"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
"Come," he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"~Matthew 14:28-30 NIV

Recently I had a time of rest and at Hualalai on the Big Island.  On the 2^nd day of my stay I went into the ocean even though the water was rough.  I am a poor swimmer so I decided to stay in the shallow.  I thought I was choosing a place where the water was calm.  Instead it was a place where a fast current circled me. 

I have partial hearing loss in my right ear which can cause me to lose my balance especially with fast movement.  Even though I was only in about 3 feet of water I fell.  I tried to stand but I couldn’t.  As the current tossed me around I saw a large rock.  I grabbed the rock and tried to hold on to it.  I couldn’t hold on and continued to be tossed around in the water.  

Finally I realized that I couldn’t stand on my own.  I asked God to help me.  God immediately helped me stand and I walked to shore.  

As I sat on shore and and thought about what had happened, God spoke to me.

“You will be knocked down if you don’t focus on me.  You will be off balance. Even if you hold on to someone else, you will still be tossed around.  Hold on To Me Only.

I believe God's message was a reminder to come to Him every day in all situations.  God wants our focus to be on Him in the easy and difficult times.  

We are taught in this world to do things in our own strength without a lot of help. That world teaching carries over in our relationship with our Heavenly Father.  We either don't ask God for help/direction or wait too long to ask Him. 

In the ocean, I couldn't stand.  I tried to hold on to a rock.  I couldn't hold on to it.  When I realized it wasn't a rock I needed, I called out to God to help me.  He immediately put me on my feet. 

As Peter focused on Jesus, he walked on water.  When he focused on his fear Peter began to sink.

When we exclude Him, the outcome is never as good or as great as it could be.  

To those who are wondering if we have a role to play in helping ourselves, the answer is yes.  Our role is to go to Him first in all situations and ask Him what He wants us to do.   

Dear Father, I pray we would go to you first for help.   
Direct us every day in all situations.  
Father I pray we obey Your directions.