In the Boat or On the Water

We did another Lectio Divina for my weekly Bible study, this time on Matthew 14:22-23.  It's the passage where Jesus walks out to the boat over the water.  As we considered the passage, one reading asks us to meditate on where we would place ourselves in the passage.  I considered two options--hanging out in the boat after Jesus calms the storm, or walking out over the water to Jesus.  I liked the boat option better--the water was calm, the disciples were back together with Jesus, and they worshiped him and acknowledged him as God.  Calm, steady, straightforward, and at peace.  I wish our adoption would be like that.   
I'm not a huge fan of water, and after watching The Perfect Storm in high school, I was even more sure that sailing the ocean was not on my bucket list.  Our adoption certainly has the potential to feel like Peter's boat in the storm, buffeted by the waves because the winds are against it.  Well, it already does in some ways.  Even so, Peter was willing to a) ask Jesus to call him out, and b) actually get out of the boat and start walking to him.  Crazy man.  Unfortunately, Peter began to sink because he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the winds around him.  I guess we're in the storm already, and the question is whether we will focus on Jesus or get distracted by the wind and waves that will most certainly come.  I'm sure we'll need to take courage, as Jesus reminds the disciples, especially once our daughter arrives home.  Staying in the boat would easier, but in the end, I guess walking on water would be pretty awesome.

Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, 
and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.   
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, 
who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, 
and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  (NIV)