Getting Out Of The Boat

In Matthew 14:25-32 we can see Jesus walking on water during the stormy night. The disciples were afraid not knowing what was happening. Jesus understood their concern and called out to them encouragingly saying don't fear, be happy; it's me. Peter responds to the question If it is you, Lord, call me to come to you. Then Jesus invited him to come.

So Peter stepped out of the boat and began waking on the water towards the Lord. The problem was he took his eyes of-of Jesus and started looking at the storm as he did he quickly started to sink. (and some of us do the same in our journey at times.) Immediately Jesus reached out caught him, rebuked him for his lack of faith then they got into the ship together.  My paraphrase of this passage.

Notice, Peter was the only one of the disciples to step out in faith in that situation. He got out of the boat leaving behind the protection, comfort and safety net of the known, especially his companions.

Sometimes like Peter we also are calling out to God; Lord if that's you calling me to go there or do that, then confirm your will for me to do so. Many voices may try to deter us as we begin to answer God's calling on our lives.

Our fear of the unknown, the fear of getting out of the boat onto the stormy waters and especially the fear of leaving our companions behind. Some voices come from our closest friends and family who are either afraid for us or just don't want us to risk our comfort when the Lord calls us. They want to keep us from stepping out as well.

There may be hindrances when we do step out. We may merely take our eyes of Jesus. We may step out at the wrong time or place. We might have got the wrong directions.  The bottom line is; If we believe God is calling us to step out then go ahead and do it.

As a young Christian, I was learning to hear from God and obey his leading, there was a woman who said to me with much concern; ''I'm so sorry you have tried so many things and failed.''  I smiled and thanked her for her concern, (hearing God speak to my heart)  "Those were training lessons, not failures."

Be happy, don't be afraid, consider all hindrances and miss-steps to be the stepping stones of life lessons leading us from where we are to where God is taking us.

If we get our eyes off Jesus or take a miss-step Jesus will be there to catch us and lead us where we need to go.