LightGrams
April 30, 2026
Volume 30, Number 15
You call a friend to invite them to join you in an activity. “I’m sorry,” they reply, “but I’m up to my neck in chores today.” Most of us would understand they’re not in physical danger but are using a common image to mean they are overwhelmed by other responsibilities.
Christine Keilback, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, wasn’t using an image when her call for help came in. She had just stepped out of her friends’ car when she suddenly dropped out of sight (again, not using an image here). When her friends came back to investigate, there was Christine looking at them from a hole in the ground, up to her neck. The local firefighter technical rescue team was called in.
Was the problem a sinkhole that had suddenly opened beneath her? Stories of sinkholes are not uncommon. The rescue team found that a storm drain was missing its cover, and the opening was hidden by the grass. Soon Christine was winched out of the hole and a cover was put in place.
Peter was another who was literally up to his neck. He, along with the other apostles, had seen Jesus coming toward them walking on the Sea of Galilee! Only Peter, however, had the audacity to ask Jesus to let him do the same feat. Once out of the boat, Peter was actually walking on the water – until he wasn’t. Then, when he was up to his neck in the sea, he called to Jesus to rescue him.
What happened? Was there a cover missing? In a sense, yes. “But when [Peter] saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’” (Matthew 14:30). The “cover” that was missing in Peter’s case was his faith. Jesus affirmed this in the next verse: “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31).
Peter didn’t walk on water, even for brief a time, because he had discovered a secret for doing so. He did it because he trusted Jesus to enable him to do so. But that faith evaporated when he turned his focus to the wind that was boisterous. In that moment in Peter’s mind, the wind ruled the Ruler.
This concept is stated in a most beautiful way in Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You.” In Isaiah’s day, the threat to the people’s peace was the trouble they had created for themselves by turning away from God. The rescue from such troubles is to redirect our focus to the all-powerful and faithful God. That’s the key to enjoying perfect peace.
Philippians 4:6,7 speaks the same promise: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
There are many “holes” in life into which we can fall, and we’ll find ourselves up to our necks in sorrow and trouble (see 1 Timothy 6:9,10). It’s vital that we stay on the safe path: “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Faith in the Lord will always ensure firm footing.
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2026, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
Permission to reproduce and/or use the messages for noncommercial purposes is freely granted provided the messages are not altered.