As a progressive, I believe there are many names for God and many ways to a loving God; this article reflects one of those ways. Take from here what works for you. Celebrate life with joy and peace!
There’s a piece in Matthew 14 that tells quite a dramatic story; truly an Oscar-winning role by Peter! Let’s quickly review. After the miraculous feeding of the multitude, Jesus asked the disciples to get in a boat and go on before him to the other side of the Sea of Galilee where he’d meet them after he dismissed the crowds.
When Jesus was finally alone he spent time meditating and praying and by this time the disciples in the boat were far from shore, fighting against the wind and waves from a sudden storm that seemed to come out of nowhere. This storm was relentless and they struggled against the fury of the wind and the waves and they were, quite frankly, scared they might not make it.
In the darkest part of the night, just before dawn, they see an apparition; someone or something walking toward them on the water! They were even more terrified of this than the fear of drowning. This, whatever it was, was coming closer and closer and it wasn’t just their imagination! What a scene!
I like what the Scripture says next: Immediately after they cried out in fear, Jesus says to them, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
But Peter still wasn’t sure it was Jesus and he yells out over the howling wind and the crashing waves, “Lord, if it’s you, ask me to come to you on the water.” And Jesus simply replies, “Come.” So Peter, who had been holding on for dear life in the boat, goes over to the edge, swings his legs over the side and dangles his feet until he touches the water and then begins to walk on the water toward Jesus! Wow!
Can you imagine what the other disciples were saying?
I love this story. It’s a powerful reminder of what can happen when we respond to the call of Jesus and how we can overcome the storms and fears in life and that when we are focused in the right direction we can walk right on the crazy ups and downs of the waves we might experience.
Think about it. Peter didn’t need to get out of the boat. He didn’t need to go out on the turbulent waters. He could have simply stayed where he was and waited for Jesus to come to him. But if Peter was going to walk on water he needed to get out of the boat! Peter took a chance!
Peter had courage; courage to venture into the unknown and do what Jesus said he could do.
What would you do in his situation? Stay in the safety of the familiar and the known? Or risk the unknown, even in the midst of fear?
Let me ask you: What are your dreams? What passion and desire keeps coming up in your mind? What risk might Jesus be asking you to take? What have you been afraid to do?
Sometimes we just need to get out of the safety of the boat. If you’re gonna walk on water, you have to get out of the boat!
Peter continued to walk on the water while he had his eyes on the power that had called him. It was when he started to look at the waves around him and let fear control him that he began to sink. When we are taking a risk, when we dare to do what God calls us to do, it’s then that we need to stay focused and trust God will see us through, no matter what is going on around us!
When Peter starts to walk, letting fear and feelings of failure take over, what happens? He begins to sink. Peter risked and started to sink, and his risk looks as though he failed, but he didn’t!
When Peter starts to go under, he remembers where his help and strength comes from and he cries out to Jesus, “Lord, save me!”
And here’s this word again in Scripture, “Immediately Jesus reaches out his hand and catches Peter.”
When we step out of the boat, when we take a risk to use our gifts, when we dare to come closer to God the hand of Jesus is there to reach out to us and lift us up when we stumble.
After reaching out to him and saving him from going under, Jesus says to Peter, and I believe with such love and compassion, “Peter, where’s your faith? You just witnessed the miracle of the feeding of the multitude with the loaves and fishes, you helped collect all the leftovers out of God’s abundance; you saw, why did you doubt me?”
When we dare to risk, when we dare to dream, when we dare to do what’s right, I believe Jesus is near to us and is there to help us.
All we need to do is keep focused on where our strength comes from. And when we need help, don’t be afraid, or too proud, to cry out, “Help me!” And help and strength will be available, one way or another.
Like Peter, who stepped out of the boat and then walked on the water towards Jesus who called him, you too can step out! Remember, if you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat! When we do, we experience a power we didn’t know we had. When we do, marvelous things happen. When we do, we discover new things about ourselves – good things!
I’m here to encourage you. You can risk, because you have a loving and powerful God watching over you. You can trust, because you have a compassionate God who cares for you. And you can step out, because you have a faithful God who will be there for you, always!
If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat!
