If This Is You…

There is something about Peter’s words in the middle of the storm that I cannot get out of my spirit:

“Lord, if this is You… bid me come closer.”

The storm was raging. The waves were violent. The wind was terrifying. The disciples were afraid. Yet, in the middle of all of it, Peter recognized Jesus.


Not after the storm passed.
Not once the sea became calm.
Right there in the middle of the chaos.

That changed the way I see this account entirely.

Because maybe Peter stepping out of the boat was not only about boldness or reckless faith.

Maybe it was about recognizing Jesus in the middle of the storm and realizing that being closer to Him mattered more than staying where he was.

Honestly, that hits me deeply.

Because sometimes life feels exactly like that.

Heavy.
Uncertain.
Overwhelming.

The winds rage around us. Fear creeps in. Circumstances feel bigger than we are. And in moments like that, it becomes very easy to focus only on the storm itself.

But Peter looked through the storm long enough to recognize Jesus.

And once he recognized Him, he wanted to move closer.

Peter Recognized Jesus in the Storm

I think sometimes we reduce Peter to “the disciple who sank”.

But the more I think about it, the more I realize Peter’s heart was always moving toward Jesus.

In the very first chapter of Mark, after Jesus had gone away to pray, scripture says:

“And Simon [Peter] and those who were with him followed Him [pursuing Him eagerly and hunting Him out],” — Mark 1:36 AMP

Peter was looking for Jesus.

And throughout scripture, we continue to see that same hunger in him.

Peter truly believed Jesus was the Son of God. Not perfectly. Not without moments of fear, pride, or misunderstanding. But there was genuine faith in him. And because of that faith, Jesus revealed things to him that not everyone was allowed to see.

Peter stood on the mountain and saw Jesus in His glory at the Transfiguration. He witnessed a revelation of Christ that few others experienced. To me, that says something powerful about his heart.

Jesus allowed Peter to see Him.

At the same time, Peter was still impulsive and human. When soldiers came to arrest Jesus in the garden, he grabbed a sword and swung before thinking. That moment reveals both sides of him so clearly: impulsive behavior… but fierce loyalty.

Peter loved Jesus deeply.

Even when his understanding was incomplete.
Even when his emotions outran wisdom.
Even when pride and fear still had places to die within him.

And honestly… I understand that too.

 “If This Is You…”

What strikes me most about this story of walking on the water is this:

Peter asked Jesus before stepping out of the boat,

“Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
— Matthew 14:28 AMP

And Peter did not move until Jesus said:

“Come.”

This was not reckless ambition.
This was obedience.

He simply wanted to move closer to Jesus.

That hits differently when life storms begin raging around you.

Because sometimes I catch myself saying:
“I’m trying to be strong.”

But scripture never told me to become strong in myself.

Jesus said:

“Apart from Me you can do nothing.”
— John 15:5 ESV

And Paul wrote:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
— Philippians 4:13 NKJV

Not through striving harder.
Not through pretending we have it all together.
Not through self-sufficiency.

Through Christ.

Jesus Was Always the Source

Peter walked on water for one reason:
Jesus sustained him.

The miracle was never Peter’s ability.

Maybe Jesus allowed him to perceive and feel the strong wind and begin to sink in Matthew 14:30 AMP.

Why?

Because Peter was never meant to believe the power came from himself.

And neither are we.

King David understood this kind of humility when he wrote:

“My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.”
— Psalm 131:1 NIV

David understood dependence.

Maybe the reason Peter recognized Jesus in the storm was because his heart had already been drawn to Him long before he ever stepped out of the boat. 

Because you do not move toward Christ unless the Father is already drawing you there (John 6:44).

Not through self-confidence.
Not through having everything figured out.
Not through trying harder to be “good enough.”

Only through Him.

Peter Never Stopped Looking for Jesus

What I love most about Peter is that even through failure, weakness, fear, and pride… his heart continually moved back toward Jesus.

He sank… but he stepped out of the boat.

He failed publicly… but he loved deeply.

He denied Jesus… but he ran toward the empty tomb.

Peter’s life reminds me that faith is not about becoming impressive enough to do impossible things.

It is about recognizing Jesus as the source of everything.

Every bit of strength.
Every ounce of grace.
Every step on the water.

And maybe real faith sounds less like:
“I must be strong enough.”

…and more like:

“Lord, if this is You… bid me come closer.”

🙏Resources for the Season You’re In:

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  • Journaling Bible
  • Bible Tabs
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  • Bluetooth Speaker
  • Tumbler
  • Worship Music

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