Take a read of Matthew 14: 22-36 and think about the story. This is the story of Jesus walking across the lake, and Peter getting out of the boat to join him.
Peter is often looked down on by people because once he got out of the boat, he showed little faith and started to sink, but let’s think about this for a bit . . .
There are 12 guys in a boat, and the wind is howling, the waves are HUGE and these professional fishermen are nervous because of the weather. Jesus shows up, walking on the water and Peter was the only one to get out of the boat and walk on water too.
So a few things to think about . . .
ONE guy got out of the boat to join Jesus walking on the water. He then took his eyes off Jesus and sank.
ELEVEN guys stayed in the boat . . . They chose comfort rather than growth. Peter chose growth in his faith. We have that same choice, we can choose the comfort of a boat, or we can step out of the boat and grow in our relationship or commitment to Christ. We need to remember where Jesus is, He is out on the water, He is NOT in the boat.
Peter did take his eyes off Jesus and sank, but he still succeeded in getting out of the boat and meeting Jesus where He was.
What about you? What about me? Am I and are you willing to choose growth and commitment over comfort? Will you get out of the boat and join Christ, or will you stay in your comfort zone and watch others step out and join Christ out on the water?
It’s time to stop being afraid of failure or what other people may think, but to step out and try. Get uncomfortable and go Walk on the Water . . .
“Credit goes not to the people pointing out failure, but to those who dared to step out and try.” – Teddy Roosevelt
“You of little faith, why did you doubt?” – Jesus Christ
Credit to John Ortberg for his book “If you want to walk on water you’ve got to get out of the boat”.