Where Feet May Fail - Part One

The sea was calm, a sparkling blue beneath the golden sun. All was right as Peaceful took a breath and stepped out upon the narrow bridge set before her.

Beside her, many others began to walk onto a greater bridge, one that looked like the most solid structure in the world. It stretched out as far as the narrow one under Peaceful's feet - beyond the distance that human eyes can see.

Peaceful looked over her shoulder. Her family - mother, father, and siblings - were coming toward her, smiling as they stepped onto the narrow bridge around her. Together, they began to walk along the wooden planks.

As Peaceful's feet took her farther out onto the sea, the sun's light began to fade. A roll of thunder rumbled across the sky, and she came to a faltering stop. She called out to her family, but when she looked, they were gone.

A gale of wind whipped Peaceful's hair around her face, and the water rose up around the bridge. When

the girl squinted to the left, she could see the bigger bridge in the distance. The sun shone on the travelers over there, but a raging storm was coming upon Peaceful's narrow bridge. She felt the ocean waves roiling around her, rippling onto the wood and making the planks slippery. Peaceful had not moved her feet since the sun had disappeared. She looked back the way she had come, feeling a sudden urge to run back to the shore and get on the bigger bridge.

But Peaceful knew that decision would be wrong, and wondered why she would ever do such a thing. This was the way she had chosen, and she had trusted it to take her across the ocean. Even now, she realized that the bridge did not creak or sway. It was only her own fears that caused her to stop.

She faced forwards and took a step.

Immediately, a wave rose and curled over the bridge, right at Peaceful's feet. She gasped and recoiled as the water splashed on her. Taking a few more steps forward, she continued on.

A thick cloud of fog rolled in with the wind, making it hard to see. Lightning flashed in the fog, revealing frightening images of sharks and other deadly sea creatures. Peaceful yelped and stopped again.

I can't see! she cried in fear. I'm alone out here. She looked across to the other bridge once more and saw all the people walking in the warm sunlight. The bridge looked so strong. They had each other. And they had light.

But the darkness will come, a voice spoke, echoing around the girl. And they will not escape. They all chose the wide bridge. But I chose you. Have you forgotten Me so soon?

A ray of sunshine pierced through the raging storm, falling on Peaceful's head. Then the voice took form, and Peaceful saw someone like a Son of Man, standing in the ray of light. The storm calmed just for a moment, and He smiled on her.

"I'm sorry," Peaceful whispered. She had lost faith in the One who had called her onto His bridge. "But I'm afraid," she said. "I need You, Lord...please save me."

I already have, He told her. Now come, follow Me.

A wave of the ocean surged into Peaceful's face. She coughed and nearly stumbled into the water. When she looked up, the light was gone, and the storm kept up. Gusts of wind, loud cracks of thunder, and riptides all filled Peaceful's ears. Lightning blinded her, and the fog surrounded her like a net. The shapes of the creatures of the deep flashed around her, overwhelming her.

Peaceful slapped her hands over her eyes and fell to her knees on the bridge.

Then, a hand grasped her right arm and pulled her to her feet. Peaceful looked up and saw a light moving ahead of her, starting to disappear into the fog. Though the storm roared around her, Peaceful started to run, chasing the light. She kept her eyes on it, never letting it out of her sight.

Suddenly, she burst out of the storm and into a beautiful day. She slowed from her racing and gazed around at the gently rolling waves. The water was blue and clear enough to look beneath. Peaceful smiled and let her eyes wander into the water beside her. It was shallow here, and the sandy ocean floor was so close, she could almost touch it! Treasures waited just inches away - jewels and gold coins, glistening in the sun.

Couldn't hurt to take a quick swim, Peaceful thought. She placed her feet into the saltwater and slid off the bridge.