First Steps

“Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw Him walking on the lake. When the disciples saw Him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afriad.

‘Lord, if it’s You,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to You on the water.’

‘Come,’ He said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 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?’

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying ‘Truly you are the Son of God.'” Matthew 14:22-33

The news coming out of Haiti has grown increasingly dark over the past few months. The gas crisis, the lack of infrastructure, the cholera outbreak, the increase in kidnappings, the gangs taking over… it all feels so hopeless. We all feel so helpless in the midst of it.

Yet, in the middle of such chaos and suffering, glimmers of hope shine through. I’ve seen more and more people uniting in prayer, pouring out their hearts and tears at the feet of Jesus, on behalf our Haitian friends. And as we’ve gathered together in prayer, I believe the Lord has started to move.

We’ve seen the police regain control of the gas terminal Varreux, potentially allowing gas to return gas stations for the first time in months this weekend. We’ve seen the U.S. and Canadian governments sanction individuals in Haiti who are notorious for drug and arms trafficking. We were also all pleasantly surprised to see the U.S. government announce rewards for anyone who could turn in three of the major gang leaders in Haiti. All of these things hold so much potential good! These could be the first steps towards the dawn in Haiti.

And yet, I hear the whispers that trail behind these glimpses of good; the “Yeah, buts -” that follow, the mistrust of the news we’re seeing, and even the sheer refusal to accept that these things could possibly be true. I’m reminded that these changes make barely visible dents in the mountain of problems that cover Haiti right now. And this jadedness, this inability to accept the positive and good, is pretty easy to understand. Haiti has the had the rug ripped out from underneath her too many times to take things at face value. I myself fall more in this camp because of being a Haiti resident; I won’t believe until I see it. We’re tired of being disappointed and hurt.

But then I read this story in Matthew. I see Jesus inviting Peter to take step out in faith, to walk towards. Yes, it’s a bold move to get Peter to walk on water. But it started with a first step: a choice to trust in Jesus. A choice to put his faith in the One who could stand in the midst of the waves.

For my friends who are Haitian, or who have lived and served in Haiti for multiple years, I know that right now it’s really hard to see the light. It’s really hard to believe in the good news and to take the steps forward that we’re being offered. And to be clear: I’m not suggesting that we forego discernment all-together. There are too many lies being spread, too many wolves-in-sheep’s clothing, for us to blindly accept anything positive that comes our way. However, I believe it’s vital that we sit with Jesus over the news that comes our way, and that we are constantly asking Him to show us what is truly good. We shouldn’t forego discernment, but we can’t through away faith.

We’ve been praying for breakthrough and change in Haiti. We’ve been asking for walk-on-water miracles. It would be tragic for us to miss answers to our prayers because we’ve grown used to our doubt and darkness.

Don’t look at the wind and waves surrounding us, though they are great and many. Look to the One standing strong in the middle of them. He will calm these raging seas.

Things in Haiti can cross over this raging seas; but it will take first steps to get us there.

Lord, give us the faith to believe in what You are doing. Give us the eyes to see You moving for us; help us not to miss You answering our prayers, help us not to miss the ways You are working. Lord, remove the jadedness resting in our hearts. Give us the wisdom to know the difference between jadedness and good discernment. Jesus, help us walk on water with You.