"Getting Out of the Boat"

Matthew 14:25-30 During the fourth watch of the night 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.

 Over and over, Peter says the wrong thing or does something stupid. Each time he just went "all in" for Jesus, he learned something invaluable in his walk of faith! In this story, Peter eventually winds up doing a belly flop into the water of what is seemingly embarrassment and failure.

 But I'm not sure if anyone was laughing that night because they had just watched their friend be the only human being to walk on water! Jesus was preparing Peter to be one of the greatest Christian leaders ever. The reason Peter was the right material for assuming that role from Jesus was not his skills, giftedness, or good looks! Peter's greatest attribute was that he was so attuned to the love and patience of Jesus for his life, he did not let his limitations or blunders keep him from getting out of the boat!

Every time you step out of the boat in faith, you will learn something invaluable from God! Sometimes you will walk on water..........or in other words-something miraculous will happen and you will discover the power of God at work in you! At other times, you will fall flat on your face and discover the sustaining strength of God to carry you through the things that don't quite go the way you planned. In all things, getting out of the boat is the only way to discover all that God has for you in your journey of faith!

Are you allowing your faith journey to be hindered by your fear of failure? You have thought about joining a life group but you keep coming up with nine million reasons why it won't work out! Have you been thinking of serving somewhere in your church or going on a mission trip but the quiet, resounding whispers of your insecurities keep you in the boat? Or maybe, you have been on the brink of a decision to go to counseling because your marriage is falling apart but the failures that have already occurred keep you from believing things could ever be different.

Staying in the boat might seem to be both predictable and safe. It will seem like the best option. Most people spend their lives there! But for those who would tune the steps of their faith journey to the patience and unending mercies of God, there is much more to be discovered about God and life by getting out of the boat!

 Heavenly Father, my boat dwelling days are over! I will choose to not allow my fears and failures to keep me forever in places of "comfortable" Christianity! The greater adventure lies in that first unpredictable step out of the boat! Amen.