A Big Mistake
A BIG MISTAKE
Read Matthew 14:24-33.
I’d like to do that, thought Melissa when Miss Baker asked for a volunteer to memorize Psalm 100 and recite it for chapel the next week. But if I made a mistake in front of all those people, I’d just die. Some of the other girls in Melissa’s class expressed the same fear, and no one volunteered.
A little later Miss Baker told the Bible story of Peter walking on the water. She was such a good storyteller that Melissa could almost feel the water beneath her feet. The entire class seemed to relax when Peter and Jesus were finally in the boat with the other disciples and the sea was calm. “Who in this story made the biggest mistake?” asked Miss Baker.
“Peter,” was Dawn’s quick reply.
“Why do you think it was Peter?” Miss Baker asked.
“He was afraid,” suggested Lucy.
“And he didn’t trust Jesus,” added Melissa.
Miss Baker shook her head. “Actually, Peter was the only one who did trust Jesus. He got out of the boat while the others sat and watched. The ones who made the biggest mistake were the eleven disciples who didn’t have faith to do it. We’re a lot like them. One of the worst mistakes we make is to allow fear to keep us from trying.”
Melissa quickly raised her hand. “Miss Baker, I’ll memorize Psalm 100 for chapel,” she volunteered.
Miss Baker smiled. “Thank you, Melissa.”
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is there something you want to do for the Lord, but you’re afraid to try? Remember Peter. He tried, and when he began to sink, Jesus was there to lift him up. Trying and failing isn’t a mistake, but it’s a big mistake to fail to try.
TO MEMORIZE:
Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.
Micah 7:8
DARE TO TRY.
From the book
