Out of the Boat

What a day (or night) for Peter! He saw His Master miraculously walk on water - then he walked on water himself, until suddenly his faith and his body were both sinking, saved only when Jesus reached out and caught him. In the space of mere minutes Peter lived out a roller-coaster story and illustrated lessons that would be retold and relearned for centuries to come.

And all because he’d made a simple request: “Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water.”

Of course, nobody in that boat had refused to walk on water. The onlookers hadn’t disobeyed. They hadn’t even dragged their feet. And they didn’t get wet and they weren’t chided for doubting. They kept it safe and kept themselves dry and watched someone else prove for them Who Jesus was and what He could do and what He could empower them to do. And they missed the thrill and the mind-boggling miracle and the nearness to Christ.

Now I’m not saying we need to be forever clambering out of boats and putting God to the test and asking Him to do miraculous things through us to prove He’s Who He says He is. I don’t believe we’re all intended to be like Peter all the time, and I don’t think we should expect too many water-walking moments in a lifetime. But sometimes…there is a need. A need to know Who is walking the waves of our situation. A need to get closer to Him at whatever peril to ourselves. An inner compulsion to cut through the doubt and face the fear and find out Who’s calling our name and reaching out a saving hand.

If that’s where you’re at right now, have you taken up the challenge that Pastor Steve threw out Sunday: “Have you asked God to call you out on the water?” Have you at least told Him you’re willing to leave the boat if He does call your name? And if you’ve heard your name, are you responding, instead of wavering, half in and half out of the boat, both drawn by Jesus’ invitation and paralyzed by the crashing waves?

This week, take your eyes off the rest of the disciples. Take them off the wild waves. Fix them on Jesus. Then listen for His voice - that still, small voice that can be heard over the shrillest wind. If He bids you “Come,” it just might be the beginning of your walk on the water. It just might get you out of that boat.