On The Water

"That's like nailing jello to a wall."
I've heard that phrase several times in the past couple days, which was really strange because I had never heard it before. It's a funny image for sure. I was seriously considering trying to do it, but maybe another day. Instead, I thought it might be a funny name for a blog. 
Nailing jello to a wall.
If you haven't heard that phrase, it means "that's really hard to do." We as humans have a unique relationship with doing hard things. We cringe at thinking about doing something taxing or strenuous. 
Exercise. 
Homework.
Social interaction.
Did any of these make you shudder?
But I believe that we all have an innate desire to do hard things. We want adventure, hardship, something that rips us out of our comfort zone and leads us into something brand new. 
My devotions this morning lead me to this story in Matthew:

During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
"Come," he said.
-Matthew 14:25-29

First of all, I would just like to note that if it had been a ghost or some sort of evil spirit, Peter was not very smart by asking it to call him out onto the water. What if the "ghost" told him to step out into the lake and then watched him drown? I'm just spitballing here.
It wasn't a ghost though. It was Jesus, Peter's friend, teacher and Lord. If there was anybody Peter could trust, it would be Jesus. 
But notice that Peter asks Jesus to call him out on the water, not the other way around. Jesus doesn't ask to test Peter's faith. The disciple does it willingly. It's as if Peter wants to be in mortal danger. He understands that the only thing keeping him above the waves is Jesus. Peter wants to go anyway. He desires to do hard things.
In the same way, we all desire to do something that appears difficult. Whether it's joining the military, learning to play an instrument, or nailing jello to a wall. I would like to encourage you to go after those things, and don't be afraid. The winds will be strong and the rain will sting and the thunder will shake you at your core. Just remember that the one who made the storms will be there to catch you if you fall. 
So do hard things. 
Go nail that jello.