Get out of the Boat

A few years ago I attended a promise keepers conference in Atlanta GA. As always these conferences are a great time of reflection and Spiritual growth for me. This particular conference was no different. One of the speakers was John Ortberg and he had written a book titled, "If you want to walk on water, you've got to GET OUT OF THE BOAT." His speech really hit home with me personally. He talked about what it meant to be a passionate follower of Christ, to have a relentless obsession for Christ.

I want to share a few verses of scripture with you from the book of Matthew 14:28-29.

(28) And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." (29) So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on water to go to Jesus.

The verses following these two, verses 30 and 31 describe how Peter got scared and started focusing his attention on the storm around him rather than on Jesus and he immediately begins to sink! He cries out to the Lord saying... "Lord save me!" then immediately Jesus reaches out His hand and catches Peter.

Have you ever failed at something? Especially when it comes to living for Christ. Of course you have. Who hasn't. Have you ever found yourself in sin that you just can't seem to overcome? You want to live for Christ but you feel that you are failing miserably in your daily walk. I think often times we hear the Spirit calling us to do something for Christ, and we start off in that direction, but the storm around us often takes our eyes off of the task. We become discouraged and ashamed due to our lack of obedience.
Lets look at Peter, he failed to make it to Jesus on the water, he lost his focus and he sank like a rock! But the important thing to understand here is this... Peter would never have been able to experience the Lords strength and help if he had not been willing to get out of the boat. Peter performed a miracle that day, he walked on water! But most importantly Peter experienced the mighty hand of Christ saving him when he cried out... "Lord, save me!" What this shows me is that we have to be willing to take risks. I'm talking about the kind of risks that only God can handle. This way God gets the glory, not us. Sadly though, sometimes I find myself playing it safe by staying in the boat. You see Peter obeyed the Lords command to come, then Peter walked out to Jesus without hesitation or fear. This is the example that all of need. One of immediate obedience and trust in the Lord. The good news is this... even if you get in over your head and take your eyes off of Jesus, he will reach down and catch you and save you if you will only cry out to Him.

You may be commanded by Jesus to do something that may require the same kind of faith that was required of Peter that day. Maybe you feel God calling you into the Ministry full time. Maybe you feel God calling you to the mission field, maybe it's to teach Sunday school, or maybe it's to witness to that friend of yours that you know doesn't know Christ as their savior. What ever it is, be obedient and walk out there on that open sea of uncertainty where only your faith in Jesus will get you through. If you do, you will be blessed. You'll be blessed with the experiences that only God can give you and you will experience Gods love and grace when you fail along the way. Simply cry out to Jesus and let His love restore you.

You know, all of us are potential water walkers. Christ is still looking for people that are willing to get out of the boat. Where is God calling you to get out of the boat?

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I pray for the faith to always trust and obey You and You're calling in my life. Lord, help me to take risks for You. Forgive me Lord for the times I've failed You and thank you for saving me and restoring me when I took my eyes off of You. Challenge me to get out of the boat. Amen.