But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."

These are the words Jesus spoke to His disciples as He walked on the raging sea and they were hunkered in their boat struggling against the storm. At first they thought the figure moving across the water was that of a ghost. They were afraid. Instead of acting in confidence they cowered in fear.

One reached out by calling to Jesus. It was Peter. He stated rather bluntly, "Jesus, if it is you... bid me to come to you." Jesus said plainly..."Come". And with this Peter stepped onto the raging waves. For a moment in time he too was walking on water. And then was taken by his situation and took his eyes off Jesus and put his confidence in himself. He began to sink. He pleaded with Son of God, "Lord, save me!" Jesus simply reached out to him and raised him to safety. He reminded Peter of his lack of faith and together as they stepped into the boat... the wind stopped blowing and the waves ceased and the sea was calm.

Most of us concentrate on the fact that Peter lacked faith and that he sank. But, I want to remind each one of us that there were eleven other disciples exhibiting cowardice in the hull of the boat. Not another stepped out. Not another experienced the hand of God reaching to them as they slipped into the grips of the darkness and waves. Peter was the only one that got out of the boat.

Many of us miss the thrill and provision and protection and fulfillment of living on the edge. Perhaps Peter became bound by his strength or the lack of it. But because Peter got out of the boat in faith, because Peter called out to the Lord for protection in faith... Peter became a stalwart in Christ's plan for His early Church and in centuries to follow.