Beginning to Sink

Matt 14:30 But when he(Peter) saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.  (KJV)

There is nothing in this world as tragic as someone who has sunk.  Someone with a world of promise and yet are a personal mess, someone with a pocket full of finances and they are broke, someone with a body full of talent and yet they are spent.

It is one of the great tragedies of life to see someone sunk. It is very difficult to hide the fact that you are sunk. Everyone knows you are at the bottom.  Your clothes are soaked, you have sea weed in your hair, minnows wiggling in your pockets and you couldn’t hide it from a blind person if you wanted.  People who have sunk in life are easy to recognize.

But people who are sinking thats a different story. People who are sinking are very difficult to recognize.  They might be a working buddy or a treadmill girl friend.  They could be on the song team at church or the Boy Scout camping committee.  College level or 20 years as a CPA, stock broker or local laborer it doesn’t make any difference they are sinking. A person sinking is very difficult to identify and yet all the time they may be very dear or near to us. Their shoes are socked and their stockings may be wet and yet we fail to even notice that in life, or faith that very near person is sinking.  In our scripture Peter began to sink and I have to hand it to him he at least was smart enough to yell to Jesus, ‘Save me, Lord.’

There are some interesting factors about Peter and how he began to sink and maybe some or one of them may help you or someone you love or know.

First.  Peter began to sink b/c of his personality...now everybody knows Peter like most of us had some personality traits that weren’t always an asset to him.  The bible tells us in Ephesians’ 4:2 that we are to be humble and to always make allowances for each others faults because of our love.

Second, Peter began to sink in familiar settings....He was a fisherman from youth and he knew his boat but still He was sinking.  Make sure you look around at those most familiar to you and lend them some love if they are struggling.

Third, Peter was on a permitted path...Jesus told him to come....yea people sinking are not always rebels they may be 20 years on their chosen career, their dream job or favorite position. They may have 37 anniversaries behind them.  It is the path they took yet they are sinking.

Fourth, Peter began to sink because of fear. Fear is crippling, paralyzing, if you see someone in a battle with fear take them to the side, help them.

Fifth, Peter was a loyal disciple and he still began to sink. Rookies or veterans alike can sink. There was no doubt of Peter’s great love and loyalty to the Lord. He was no beginner.  He had done yeomen’s service to the Lord and there he was sinking.

Last, this one really gets me! Peter sank while his friends where near.  Yep! There he was right near his buddies, 11 of them in a boat and there is not one mention in the scriptures that indicate that any of them even saw Peter beginning to slip in the water. Keep a sharp eye out for your friends and buddies or your other partners and pals.  Some of them may be sinking.