I Need to Get Better

Scripture: But when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid." Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened. Mark 6:49-52

Observation: Mark covers the walking on the water story, acknowledging some failures of the disciples. They didn't recognize Jesus, they were afraid, and they continued to misunderstand the greatness of Jesus as evidenced by a lack of understanding of the feeding of the 5,000. These were failures of faith by all the disciples.

However, Mark doesn't cover the failure of Peter to walk on the water. Peter steps out onto the water, and personally loses faith and sinks, needing to be saved by Jesus. Mark skips this, likely because Mark's primary source of information is Peter himself. Peter is fine saying, "we all screwed up,", but not so much saying "I failed."

Application: Of course I am the same as Peter! I am always happy to say "the church is failing to ...:" or "we believers need to get better about ...". I'm not happy to say "I am failing" or "I need to get better."

Well ... I need to get better. I especially need to understand that I am part of the body of Christ, so any time I think 'the church' needs to improve, that means I need to improve. I know I have things I need to be doing, and I need to make that a personal - not collective or communal - mission, more and more.

Prayer: Lord, I echo David today is saying that I ask for you to show me your ways, and teach me your paths. This is not a prayer for the collective 'us' but for me. Please forgive me for the ways of my youth, and now, as an old man, lead me into an ever improving way. Thank you, my Lord and God and Savior, for your love and correction and guidance. Amen.