When You Step Out Of The Boat

Monday was one of those days. It was one of those days when things kept happening and you mistakenly ask yourself What else could go wrong today? (Side note real quick, never ask yourself what else could go wrong, because in my experience that is just an invitation for anything imaginable!) It was one of those days where I briefly questioned every decision I had made in faith recently. I called the day laughable, because if I didn’t laugh I would have cried.

“If you knew what I was doing, you would step out in faith.”

Someone said to me recently You only have one life to live, how are you going to use that life? She was right, we don’t get do-overs. Sure, we can learn from our mistakes, but as for turning back the clock? Time only goes forward friends, and over and over I have said the prayer I will go where you lead, and recently that has really meant stepping out of the boat in faith, and almost as quickly as I step out… the doubts try to step in.

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Matthew 14:25-33

You know that this happens probably about 12 hours after Jesus fed the 5000 with only 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread, right? Like, these disciples should have been consumed with faith. They should be running in high expectancy to Jesus asking what they were going to do next instead of sitting in the boat terrified and showered with fear.

God has moved in my life in the past few months, in ways that I have never experienced before, and you would think that I would have this unshakeable faith. But do you ever feel like you need a constant reminder of His faithfulness? Me too. And sometimes like the disciples, it is right after He has proved that He can do the seemingly impossible.

Jesus doesn’t ask us to stay in the boat.

I need to always let His word, and His truth be the beautiful reminder that He is faithful. That where He leads, He provides. I need to always remember to take my eyes off of everything but Him. After all, He turned water into wine, walked on water, healed the sick without even a physical touch, and died on a cross but rose from the dead.

Jesus doesn’t ask us to stay in the boat. He calls us to step out of the boat in confident faith. And just like Peter, after you step out, it can become scary. You can begin to think What did I do? Did God really ask me to do that? Maybe I heard Him wrong, and He won’t actually fulfill His promises. Beautiful one, those thoughts will cause you to sink, just as Peter began to. Jesus calls us to keep our eyes on Him even when reality tells us we should sink. But our idea of reality wasn’t what walked on water. Jesus, the One who continually does the impossible did. He is the One who makes the impossible reality as we keep our eyes on Him, who is who He says He is.

You only have one life to live, how are you going to use that life?

God, I want to cling to you, and keep my eyes fixed on only You when you say come. I come to you not knowing all the answers, but knowing You are the answer. Help me to keep my eyes above the ways of this world, and the lies that say Your promise is not enough. I want to be filled with a faith that drives out the doubts and fears. Let Your will become my reality even when it seems impossible. Thank you that You are faithful and Your word never returns void. Help us to see that. Let us experience that. In Jesus name. Amen.

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