What if you were peter
in the boat
with the others

tossed and battered
wind howling
waters raging

it’s not just this storm
you know
it’s every turmoil  
you’ve endured

life has beaten
disappointed

you hunker down
into the hull of a wooden boat
that crashes upon the sea
as life’s waves slap hope out of you

in desperation
you stand
gaze upon the waters
wondering if
there’s a break in the storm

then you see the One
the outstretched hand
the loving eyes fixed upon yours

you hear the Voice
calling your name

what if you were peter
in that moment
in that boat
with that choice?

the one we all must make

do I stay in the pit of fear and despair
or take a risk the Divine Hand
that stretches toward me is not a ghost
not a figment of my imagination?

it is real

the Creator reaches
through the sea of my life
to touch and heal

to help me walk on water

would you take the Hand?
would you get out of the boat?
would you keep your eyes fixed
on the One who loves you?

would you
push past fear
claim your courage
and let your heart cry out, “save me”?

we are all peter
we all have the same choice

do we sink?

or

do we
grasp the
saving Hand
entrust our lives
to the Divine
to the One
who seeks to embrace
and guide us?

what if you were peter?

would you get out of the boat?

—-brian j plachta
brianplachta.net