Two years ago I was participating in a day of prayer and fasting as part of a conference I was attending. There was a prayer room set up that we could spend time at various tables doing different activities. When I first entered the room I chose to take some time walking around each station to see what each offering was about before I decided where I would start.

One particular table had the most wonderful and beguiling depiction of Jesus that simply took my breath away. There was a part of me that wanted me to stop and stay at that table but I also knew I wanted to conclude this reflective experience with that picture.

I worked my way through all the other activities and spent a wonderful time communicating with God and reflecting on the relationship we have. Then it was time to engage with this image and to hear what God had to say to me.

The activity set invited us to examine this image and reflect on our response to it. I wrote that this picture to me seemed to be illustrating the story of Peter walking on the water from Matthew chapter 14 and verses 22 to 33.

During a storm Jesus is seen walking on the water and calls Peter to Him. To his credit, Peter gets out of the boat and starts to make his way towards Jesus, but as he notices the waves he begins to sink below the water and he cries out to Jesus to save him. Jesus reaches out to Peter and then declares a lack of faith as they climb into the boat. (I actually prefer to believe that the ‘lack of faith’ comment was for those remaining in the boat, but that is a discussion for another day!)

My reflections included the fact that I often identify with Peter and some of his behaviours. I can be impulsive and passionate, declaring one thing, but when life gets a bit challenging feeling less assured and more wobbly.

I was picturing that I, too, had gotten out of the boat and was trying to do the impossible by walking across the stormy waves to be by Jesus’ side. I recognised that in life I often get distracted by life’s turmoils and/or get weighed down by the burdens that I choose to carry – some mine, some other’s.

What I notice most is that despite the fact that Jesus was reaching below the water line, indicating just how far I have sunk in my attempt, Jesus’ face still radiates love and acceptance for the fact that I was brave enough to get out of the boat.

The interaction with this image changed me and I shared my love of the picture and its impact with some of my fellow delegates from the conference. I was blessed a few months later when one of them, my dear friend, Kylie, presented me with my very own canvas of this image.

Fast forward to one month ago, when I was attending a training course to do with my recent transition to a new ministry, being chaplaincy. For 28 of my 31 years of ordained ministry I have been a congregational leader, and somehow I had believed that this current change in direction had been more accidental than deliberate.

On the final day of this week long course we were sharing in devotions when the facilitator alluded to Jesus reaching out to us to join with Him in the ministry of chaplaincy. She then put on the screen the exact same image I had first seen 2 years earlier and an epiphany occurred.

This image, in this context reassured me that God was, is, and always will be, part of my journey. Nothing is accidental in ministry when He is at the helm. NOTHING is accidental.

This moment brought me to tears because I hadn’t realised how much I had absorbed a belief that my change in ministry was a punishment of sorts when in actual fact He laid the groundwork for me long before. Truth be told, this was probably one of those things that was helping me sink below the waterline.

I am so grateful for the ways that God continues to show up in the everyday things of my life to help me catch glimpses of the eternal value they may hold. I pray that you, too, may be able to catch glimpses of His hand in your life as well … and keep your head above the water!

Be blessed.