by Geoffrey Schmitt

Created on: December 21, 2009

Back in the days of the Nixon administration there was clear animosity between the White House and the Washington reporters.  At the time a joke circulated that went something like this. The Nixon staff leaked the President was going to go to the Potomac River and walk across. Early the next morning the entire Washington press corps was there to witness. Sure enough the president did just as he promised. The next edition headlines read: NIXON CAN’T SWIM.

As a pastor and a leader upon whom others project their hopes and disappointments, I have had my share of admirers and detractors.  Rightly or wrongly some thought I could walk on water and some knew I couldn’t swim. Ever since the story of Jesus walking on water has been told it has been a metaphor for doing the impossible.  It has also been a metaphor for the adoration of those who admire leaders.  If you don’t like them even the impossible is ignored.

Most of the good, seemingly impossible ministry I managed to share was by God incidence, common sense, or simple kindness.  There was one woman who spent her whole life caught up in a false guilt for which she bore absolutely no fault. After I helped her to see she carried an unnecessary burden her gratitude was boundless. In her eyes I could walk on water.

To use another worn metaphor, it is not healthy or helpful to be placed upon a pedestal. Statues are best reserved for those who have long since died. If they become tarnished or topple the person whom they represent garners no harm. On the other hand if you are prideful enough to accept the pedestal while living the chances of walking on water decrease and the weight of being a statue makes it difficult to swim.

Another part of the story gives us one more metaphor: get out of the boat. When Peter asks Jesus if he can come to him out of the boat, Jesus agrees. Staying in the boat is a metaphor for sticking with the status quo. Getting out of the boat means we have the faith to follow Jesus towards the impossible.  Like Peter we might sink if we take our eyes off the master. Yet, if we have the courage to (yes one more saying) step out in faith, we just might be able to do great things.

It seems many want to argue over whether or not Jesus actually walked on water. It would be better if we spent more energy getting out of the boat.  

Learn more about this author, Geoffrey Schmitt.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.