I felt unsteady as I walked down the rocky and tumultuous path toward Lake Michigan. The sky was beginning to darken, and I could hear the trees rustling in the wind.
It reminded me of the path that I was following in my own life. Dilemmas overwhelmed me, like whether or not I should switch careers. I was a tenured and disheartened teacher and had lost my passion. I wasn’t sure how I would handle the challenges of pursuing another profession. I considered different paths, writer, children’s minister, but wondered if I was navigating my life in the right direction. I felt hopeless and alone in this personal struggle, and fear consumed me.
When I arrived at the lake, I stood at its edge. Waves crashed against the shore, and I could sense that a storm was brewing. It was then that I noticed the lighthouse and I stopped in my tracks.
I was reminded that lighthouses are a beacon of light to those traveling by water. They guide travelers safely to shore.
As I meditated on this thought, I could feel Jesus tugging at my heart, reminding me that He should be the focal point of my life and that I should trust Him more.
Oftentimes it’s easy to lose faith and be shaken by unpredictable and weary circumstances. Even St. Peter faced trials that made him feel doubtful at times. In one particular story, the disciples see Jesus walking on the water and become afraid, thinking that he’s a ghost. St. Peter feels helpless and frightened, so he asks Jesus if he could walk on the water as well:
“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?’” (Matthew 14:30-31)
I can’t help but relate to St. Peter in this story. Uncertainty tends to overtake me as well. Am I following the right path for my life? Will I be financially stable enough if I pursue another career? How would these changes affect my family? Do I have what it takes to be successful on this dark and unknown path?
As I turned around to head home and started walking down that rocky and tumultuous path again, I had a much different perspective.
Even though I may not have all of the answers right now, Jesus only asks us to take one step at a time and walk in faith. I began to pray about the decisions that were ahead of me and discern what God wanted me to do.
Like St. Peter, even though I was fearful to take a step of faith, I reached out and held tightly to Jesus’ hand.
I decided to enjoy the journey home, let go, and let God guide my way. Similar to boats lost in the night, I would end up at the right destination.