If you missed part one in this story, check it out HERE!

 

Johnny’s first lesson with his coach was all about turning strikes into hits. Johnny loved to swing but he didn’t have the best aim. It didn’t take long for coach Franklin to realize what the problem was: Whenever Johnny was about to swing he would close his eyes tight and not see the ball. Sometimes he’d get lucky and get a hit, but usually it goes right past him for a strike.

Coach Franklin spent hours trying to work on Johnny’s technique, but when it came time to actually bat, Johnny would close his eyes every time. Finally coach Franklin realized he needed to try a different approach. After practice he pulled Johnny aside and opened his pocket-New Testament.

“Johnny” he said, “you have to learn what is most important.”

Without thinking, Johnny blurted out “my swing!”

“No” coach said, “it’s not your swing; there’s a lot of batters who don’t swing as hard as you do but they can land a hit. What’s most important is the ball. You’ve got to keep your eye on the ball at all times and let everything around you disappear.”

Coach Franklin then opened his Bible to Matthew 14:22-33. “One time, Peter and his friends were out on a boat in the middle of the sea, when a great storm appeared over their heads. As they looked out to the dangerous storm, they saw Jesus walking on the water! Peter shouted out ‘Lord, let me walk out to you!’ and Jesus said ‘come.’” And do you know what happened next?” coach asked.

Johnny shook his head as his mind imagined what it must have looked like to see Jesus walking on water.

Coach continued “Peter stepped out off the boat and started walking on water too! In fact he was so close to Jesus he could touch Him, until he took his eye off the most important thing…”

“Jesus.” Johnny said.

“Exactly. Peter took his eye off Jesus and started looking at the big scary storm, and then he began to sink into the water before the Lord pulled him up to safety.”

“Wait…” Johnny said. “How do you begin to sink? Wouldn’t you just sink?”

“It’s a miracle, Johnny. Jesus is teaching Peter a lesson.”

And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
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.
And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to 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?
And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

Matthew 14:22-33

The challenges of the world can be big and loud and very distracting, but if we keep our eye on Jesus, He will help us through them.