Walking Toward Us: Reflections on Matthew 14:22-33

July 31, 2011 by Alyce McKenzie

Continued from Page 2

He opened his eyes and as he gazed out at the calm waters, three geese toddled up to him, prodding aggressively at his legs with their beaks. Finally, seeing that he had nothing for them, they made for the lake, and, one by one, took flight out over the water and up into the distance, like squawking blue angels in formation. He sat and stared at them until they were specks on the horizon. Then he got up and walked to his car, filled with a sense of peace.

That would make a great ending for a sermon, wouldn't it?

But let's be real. Our fears don't really fly off like that and never return. They circle back from time to time, honking and flapping their wings, sometimes landing in our souls and nudging around to see if we have food for them this time. A morsel of misery? A crust of criticism? A nugget of negativity?

They don't stay as long if our heart is already occupied by someone else. Someone who never stands on the shore watching us suffer, but is always walking toward us on the sea, stretching out a hand to us—with forgiveness, with love. Reaching out a hand to us that is both very human, and the very hand of God.

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About Alyce McKenzie

Alyce M. McKenzie is the George W. and Nell Ayers Le Van Professor of Preaching and Worship at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University.

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