Dear Ones,

As I sit down to write to you, my heart is filled with gratitude for my Good Shepherd family. Every Sunday morning I love watching my boys build intergenerational relationships and I am thankful for the ways you embody the grace and love of our Triune God. 

Today, I want to encourage you, drawing inspiration from a powerful biblical narrative — the story of Peter walking on water towards Jesus, amid the wind and the waves. In the Gospel of Matthew, we find this compelling story where Jesus invites Peter to step out of the boat and walk towards Him on the water. Peter, filled with initial faith, steps out and begins to walk on the water. However, as soon as he notices the strong wind, he becomes frightened and begins to sink, crying out to Jesus for help. Jesus immediately reaches out, catches him, and says, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31).

This story is a vivid portrayal of our own spiritual journeys. Like Peter, we have moments of profound faith, where we are ready to step out of the boat, to do the extraordinary for God. Yet, how often are we distracted by the ‘winds’ and ‘waves’ around us? These distractions may come in the form of personal challenges, societal pressures, or even the noise of our own doubts and fears. They can take our eyes off Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

Dear friends, the key to navigating these turbulent waters is to keep our focus on Jesus. He is not only our destination but also our guide and support. When Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he did the impossible – he walked on water. But when he shifted his focus to the wind and the waves, he began to sink. This powerful metaphor speaks to our lives today.

As your pastor, my prayer and encouragement for you is to maintain your gaze firmly on Jesus. In Him, we find the strength to overcome our fears and the courage to face our challenges. When the winds of uncertainty blow, let us remember that Jesus is with us, offering His hand just as He did to Peter. In our moments of weakness, when we find ourselves sinking, let us remember that Jesus is always ready to lift us up. His love and grace are unending, and His mercy is new every morning.

As a church, let us be a community that encourages one another to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. In Hebrews 12:2, we are reminded to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” He is our ultimate example and source of strength.

This week, I encourage you to meditate on the words of Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.” In the stillness of our hearts, when we focus on God, we find peace and assurance. Let us walk confidently, keeping our eyes on Jesus, and encouraging one another along the way. 

Together, as a church, let us be a beacon of faith, hope, and love in a world that desperately needs to fix their eyes on Jesus.

From my heart,

Pastor Tara Beth