Cascade Church Portland

Just the other day I had a friend reference the story of Peter walking on water to Jesus.  I'm very familiar with the story. I grew up with images of a sinking Peter in the waves and a gracious Jesus reaching out a hand to lift him up. I remember dreaming of the ability to walk on water and hearing people snidely say, "So and So thinks they walk on water." But as I return to the story I'm struck with how beautifully constructed it is.  There's the unexpected return of Jesus in a miraculous way. There's a devoted follower of Jesus who believes that this kind of miracle could be one of participation and not just observation. There's a thrill of joining Jesus and then failure when the insanity of the moment sinks in (*fist pump* - nailed it).  The story operates as a striking metaphor for so many aspects of faith, doubt, courage, success and failure.  How do we respond when hope joins us in a moment of struggle? Do we stand in awe or join in? Where are the places we're sure we don't belong? How can we be se