His spirit was in need of renewal. He had been giving himself completely to the people for more days than he could count, and now it was time to be alone with the ultimate source of his life. His followers could go on ahead. He would catch up. They wouldn’t want to go, of course, but this was important. He would insist. Maybe this time they would learn to see past the moment and avoid falling victim to their fears.

The waves were crashing, the wind was howling, the sea was threatening to overwhelm them — and Jesus was nowhere to be found! He was the one who had sent them out there in the first place and now he had abandoned them. It was dark, they were exhausted and fear was nagging at the edges of their souls. This was not how things were supposed to work out.

He might have wished there had been more time, but it would have to be enough. His presence was needed among them once again. The world was knocking them down, and they kept forgetting to notice anything beyond what they could see in that instant. When would they remember that they were never far from his care? It was ironic that the connection with God which he sought for himself was precisely what they needed as well. But for now they were frightened, and in need of another reminder.

The storm was powerful and overwhelming, but at least it was familiar. They could keep their fear in check because they knew what they faced. But now, in the midst of the chaos, came something new and unexpected, and thus it was much more frightening. It was exactly what they had been crying for, but their fear gave testimony to the truth of just how little they had actually expected it. Even as he came to them in their time of need, they could not recognize him for who he was. Fear can be such a powerful enemy.

Why was it, he wondered, that every time God shows up, in any form more obvious than the slightest glimmer, the first thing that must be said is, “Do not be afraid!”? But if that is what it took to reach them with God’s comfort and grace, then that is what he would do. They could face whatever storms the world might throw at them, if only they would remember that they were never alone. He saw such potential in them, and there was so much work for them to do out here in this storm-ravaged world. But first their fears must be calmed. Then, perhaps, their confidence could begin to grow. “It’s me. Don’t be afraid.”

They wanted to believe that it was true. Part of them knew that it was possible, because they could remember other times when they had experienced his powerful presence. But in the midst of the wind and the rain and the waves, it is often easy to believe that the world has always been the storm and always will be as well. Sometimes what is required is an impulsive leap. “I’m not absolutely sure that it’s you,” Peter said, “but I’m willing to be convinced. Call me out of my fear.”

He had to smile. Peter was always full of such wonderful surprises. His exuberance would often get him in trouble. But it was also the source of amazing possibilities. It was a quality that would take him far. All of them could use a healthy dose of such enthusiasm. “OK, there is a way past your fear. But it will require trust and it will require risk. If you want to follow me, then get out of the boat. To do my work in the world means trusting me to be with you even in the storm.”

The waves and the wind and the sea were still there. But suddenly they didn’t seem as frightening. He remembered to notice that he wasn’t alone. It wasn’t all up to him. Whenever he saw Jesus the way he was seeing him in that moment, anything was possible. Before the others could even ask him what he thought he was doing, he was stepping beyond the safety of the familiar, out into the great unknown storm. His focus was fixed on the one he knew was with him, in this and every moment. And because he knew that Jesus was with him, he could even dare to believe that God was with him. He took another step out into the storm.

This was good. They might actually be able to accomplish something powerful in the world. The trust he saw in Peter’s eyes warmed his heart. It was more than just talk. He was actually able to look past his fear and take a step beyond the safety of the familiar. There was hope.

First one step. Then another. He was doing what he said he would do. Jesus had called him and he was following. But then he got distracted. The waves were lapping at his feet and up around his legs. The wind was blowing in his face. And suddenly he was more aware of the storm than he was of the one standing in front of him. In that moment the chaos and the fear came crashing back in on him and he began to sink. What in the world had he been thinking? It was all too overwhelming for him to face alone. He was lost.

This was the hardest part for him — hoping that this would be the time when they remembered to trust and watching as they once again allowed the fear to blind them to the reality that they were neither lost nor alone. They were each so precious. Why would they ever think that they would be abandoned?

And then, even as the storm seemed about to win, a ray of hope came shining through. He remembered that he was not alone. In desperation he cried out, “I can’t do this by myself. Help me.”

That was all it took. In that moment his hand was already reaching out, lifting up, embracing, calming fears. “You almost had it that time,” he said gently. “Maybe next time you’ll remember to keep your eyes on me instead of on the storm.” But that would be next time. He would keep working with them for as long as it took — day by day, moment by moment — through the victories and the set-backs. He knew that sometimes they would remember and sometimes they would forget. Sometimes they would notice and sometimes they would ignore. But always he would be with them. And together there was nothing they couldn’t do.