Dear PPPC –

Our gospel lesson for this, the Second Sunday in Lent, is Matthew 14:22-33. I’d encourage you to take some time before worship to read it in your bible.

We encounter Peter as a new disciple, in a boat (again), in the middle of a storm. Boldly, Peter steps out of the boat to join Jesus, who is walking on top of the waves. When the wind shakes Peter’s trust, he begins to sink. All of us know what it feels like to be thrown off-balance, to feel as if we’re sinking. Maybe it looks like doubt, unexpected change, too-busy seasons of life, devastating grief, or distance from God. I expect that most of us empathize with Peter in this story as he cries out for help, just as we pray for God to save us when we feel like we are sinking.

The conventional interpretation of this text has long been that Peter is a sinful doubter; his sinking attributed to his doubt. What if instead we recognized the bold courage of his leap of faith – his willingness to step into a storm? What if doubt is a normal and important part of fostering a healthy life of faith? After all, Jesus extends his hand, reminding us, once again, that God is with us in every storm.

We’ll dive deeper into this text on Sunday. See you in church!

Yours for the journey,

Pastor Molly

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