Note from The Storyteller: If you have not read postings prior to the following one, I recommend you do so. There is insight that may help as you walk the road toward spiritual maturity. Go to www.waiting4thetrain.com. Also, please forward this to everyone you think would be interested in and may benefit from the devotional postings. Thank you!
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“We’ve talked a little about Peter’s water-walking adventure,” Stan said, “and there is another point I want to make this morning.” [Note to Reader: See Postings 320 (“What Does Your Boat Look Like?”) and 321 (“Full Circle Faith”).]
“Okay,” I responded, “what do you have?”
“Quick recap,” Stan said. “Peter got out of the boat, was walking on the water towards Jesus, doing just fine, but then he focused on the wind, became afraid, began to sink, and cried out to Jesus for help.”
“That about covers it,” I replied.
“What happened next,” Stan said, “is crucial in my relationship to and with God.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Matthew’s gospel says that Jesus responded immediately by reaching out and taking hold of Peter’s hand. For me, the key is Jesus’ immediate response.”
“And,” Stan continued, “to respond immediately is what I am to do whenever God has anything for me that requires a response.”
“With Peter,” Stan said, “Jesus could have thought that He would just let him sink a bit more to teach him a lesson, but, no, He didn’t. Jesus responded immediately. He reached out and took Peter’s hand without any hesitation.”
“Jesus’ immediate response is to be the model for me. I am to be so surrendered to the Holy Spirit that He guides me whenever God shows me anything that requires a response from me. No hesitation.”
Concluding, Stan said, “I never want to hear the voice of God saying, ‘What are you waiting for?’”
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And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him. Matthew 14:31.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that your response to me is immediate when I call out to you. I confess that too often my response to you is not immediate, but is one of delay if I bother to respond at all. Please forgive me. I need and I ask for your help in always responding immediately to your voice with whatever response may be called for. Please lead and help me to follow. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Waiting for the Train 