Walking on Water and Becoming Child-like

Week 3

In Mathew 14:26-31, we read an account of Christ's apostles at sea, and Peter walking on water:

“And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.  But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.”  Then Peter wants to walk on the water, so he steps out of the ship and begins walking towards Jesus; “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.  And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”

This story teaches me about the importance of focusing on my Savior, and exercising my faith, rather than allowing myself to fear.  If you notice, Peter only begins to sink when he saw (or focused) on the boisterous wind, and was afraid.  Christ chastises him a bit by saying, "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"  There are times when it would be beneficial to ask ourselves this very question - why did I doubt?

The Savior is always there for each of us; when we fear, He will comfort us.  When we doubt, He will catch us.  Notice the word that is used in the timing of Jesus' response to Peter beginning to sink: and immediately Jesus...caught him.  There will be times in this life when we doubt, or lose our footing, and have fear, but we can have confidence that just as Christ immediately caught Peter, He too will immediately catch us when we begin to fall.  Life will be hard, and challenges may seem unending, or we may feel scared to do something or move forward in a certain direction we're uncertain of; however, we can know with a surety that the Savior will be there to guide us, if we seek Him.  If we stay focused on Him, He will never let us fall.

Matthew 18:1–14. “Become as Little Children” 

In Mathew 18:3 it says, "And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me."

Why do we need to become as little children?  In Doctrine and Covenants 78:17-18 it says, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you; And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours."  Clearly, those who learn to become even as children are, will be blessed and will be led along by Christ until the "kingdom is [ours] and the blessings...and riches of eternity are [ours]."  Being child-like requires humility, as mentioned in the verses from Mathew above.  As Sister Jean A. Stevens (from the General Primary Presidency) has said, "If we have a heart to learn and a willingness to follow the example of children, their divine attributes can hold a key to unlocking our own spiritual growth."

Sister Stevens continues, "What is it we should learn from children? What qualities do they possess and what examples do they demonstrate that can help us in our own spiritual development?

These precious children of God come to us with believing hearts. They are full of faith and receptive to feelings of the Spirit. They exemplify humility, obedience, and love. They are often the first to love and the first to forgive."  Along with these qualities, Mosiah 3:19 offers more qualities that we are to develop if we want to be not only as little children, but like Christ.  Mosiah teaches that the natural man is an enemy to God and that we should put off this natural man, and "[become] a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father."

I testify that that becoming more Christ-like really requires us to become more child-like; meek and humble, loving and forgiving, kind and submissive. These qualities are Christ-like qualities that are apparent throughout the accounts of Jesus in the scriptures.

Our Savior loves each one of us, and desires for us us to come unto Him, and become like Him.

~Tanisha