Read Matthew 14:22-33

Don’t Lose Focus

Have you ever tried to walk on water? It’s impossible, isn’t it? It defies the laws of science, yet Jesus was able to do that which is impossible for man. Demonstrating His power of nature, Jesus walked on water, and even allowed Peter to do the same, until…

Peter was impetuous, and his words often tumbled out of his mouth before his brain had time to process them. He saw Jesus in the storm and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water” (Matthew 14:28). And so Jesus did, and Peter obeyed, and everything was going great, and Peter “walked on the water to go to Jesus” (Matthew 14:29), until…

What happened to Peter? He didn’t keep his focus on Jesus. “But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’” (Matthew 14:30). Why did Peter notice the wind? Because he took his focus off Jesus. Why was Peter afraid? Because he took his focus off Jesus. Why did Peter begin to sink? Because he took his focus off Jesus.

We can get overwhelmed in life when we take our focus off Jesus. When everything comes crashing down around us, and we can’t tell which way is up, and nothing seems to go right, have we lost focus? What is more important, the physical and temporary things of this life, or spiritual things?

When Jesus sent His apostles out on the limited commission, He warned that they would be persecuted. Yet He said, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). In other words, don’t lose focus and get distracted by the things that are happening here and now; focus on the promise of God who gives eternal life.

One of the most well-known yet neglected commands in the Bible is found in Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Where is your focus?