A few years ago I was coaching my son’s co-ed soccer team when one of the girls on the team scored her first (and only) goal of the year. I was celebrating on the sidelines, jumping up and down, screaming out her name in victory. In a team huddle after the game I made a really big deal about this girl scoring in the game and continued to pour accolades on her. But she stopped me and said, “The way you’re going on and on about it makes it sound like you’re surprised that I could even score a goal… like you didn’t think I was capable of scoring.” Wow. I hadn’t thought about it like that so I apologized to her.
When Peter was walking on the water and sank because he took his eyes off of Jesus, Jesus grabbed him, pulled him out of the water and gave him a firm rebuke, saying to him, “Why did you doubt, o ye of little faith!” Jesus DID NOT congratulate Peter for walking on the water (something no other human has done, neither before nor since). Nor, did He hold him up as a shining example of miraculous faith. No, instead He gave him a sharp rebuke. But that rebuke said something to Peter. It said, “I believed you could do it… and you did do it, but you didn’t follow through… I expected more from you… you can do better than that, I know you’re capable of more!” I realize that’s not written in the scripture. It’s just a little something extra that I added… a little bit of revelation I got from a young female soccer player.
I’d rather get a firm rebuke from Jesus for not measuring up to what He thinks I’m capable of than to get praise and celebration from people who have little or no expectation out of me whatsoever. What about you?
Matthew 14:30-31 (NIV)
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
