You are the children that God
dearly loves. So be just like him.
It’s the darkest of nights. You’re in a boat with friends. The wind is howling. Waves splash over the sides of the boat. Something ghostly comes toward you on the water. You shiver, terrified. There’s nowhere to hide.
“Don’t worry! It’s me,” a familiar voice cries.
“If it’s you, then tell me to come,” says your friend Peter.
“Come.”
Suddenly Peter leaps out of the boat . . .
• • •
If someone did that today, you’d probably be fishing him out of the lake. But the apostle Peter actually walked on water! He loved and trusted Jesus so much, he wanted to copy Him, even if it meant stepping out of a boat onto waves. As long as Peter trusted Jesus, he stayed on top of the water. But when Peter took his eyes off Jesus, fearing the wind and the waves, he sank, and Jesus had to rescue him. (You can read the whole story in Matthew 14:25–32.)
Peter’s experience was like discipleship. Discipleship means deciding on purpose to grow in your faith and do everything you can to become more like Jesus.
What does it take to be a disciple of Jesus? Why should you want to be? What happens if you try and fail?
This week you’ll discover how to be a true disciple of Jesus. Don’t be surprised if it feels like a stormy boat ride. Discipleship has ups and downs, but Jesus can keep you on top of the waves.
Prayer
Dear God,
This week teach me how to become more like Jesus. Help me want that more than anything else, and remind me to depend on You to make it happen. In Jesus’ name.
Amen.