The strong waves began to beat violently against the boat as it was tossed to and fro by the ferocious wind. The safety of the boat was jeopardised by the storm, but it was safe nonetheless. The disciples had been sent out into the boat by Jesus and told to go to the other side. They had been sent out by Jesus....alone....in the midst of a storm...
Have you ever felt like this? You feel you are going in the right direction, and may even feel that God led you in this direction but you feel far away from Him in the midst of the storm. Let's read on to find out what happens to the disciples....
The disciples looked up to see a figure moving slowly across the troubled water. Overcome with fear, the disciples started to cry out in fear, until a calm voice was heard... the figure was Jesus walking across the water. Fear was now overtaken with shock. Peter called out to Jesus, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." Jesus replied with just one word, "Come." Peter stood up boldly and looked across the waters to Jesus. He was going to do this. His Lord had spoken, and all Peter had needed was the Word and now he was going to act on it. The wind blew softly as Peter took his first step out of the boat. It was almost as if creation had stopped to see this moment, because time seemed to have slow down. All that could be heard was the water now gently lapping against the boat waiting to see how far Peter would go. Peter took two steps on the water. He was doing this! As if right on cue, when Peter took his next step the furious wind blew again seemingly taking his peace with it. Peter looked around him to see thunderous, dark clouds hanging over this moment. He tried to remember what Jesus had said to him to bring him to this place, but all he could now hear were the tossing of the waves, reflecting the tossing of his anxieties in his heart. As Peter's fears began to swallow him with no compassion, the seas began to swallow Peter's final step and he quickly began to sink. The Lord had called him to this place. Surely the Lord would save him. "Help me!" Peter anxiously yelled. Before Peter was lost in the stormy seas of dread, Jesus' hand caught Peter and helped him back into the boat.
It was not long ago that I blogged about this scripture and I was a bit .. worried ... to write about it again because it could all get quite repetitive. But the Lord really impressed this scripture on my heart over the weekend and so I would like to share, something short.
In the midst of storms and situations we will all find a place of safety and security. Now that thing might not really be secure and it might not really be safe, but to us it is our place of safety and security. Think for a moment, what does the boat represent in your life. In the midst of the storm, what is your boat? Where are you hiding out? Now I know that boats are your safest option when you are travelling across the water, but work with me here- we are going somewhere with this....so what is your boat? Peter is in his boat but sees something, as said in the previous blog about this scripture, that challenges where he is now. I would be thinking, "How does the storm not overcome Jesus!" If there had been no storm I would have just been shocked, but the fact that Jesus walked on water in the of the storm!! The situation, the storm was not holding Him back and Peter wanted the same. He wanted out and Jesus called him out. Now hear this...
Some of us are hiding out in our boats, just drifting along. The storm has not caused us to capsize so we are satisfied with our state of security. It is not to say that the possibility of capsizing is not there, because we all know a boat is not 100% safe. But Jesus is calling us out of the boat to walk on the water. To come closer to Him. We can no longer be happy with hiding in our places of security or more realistically insecurity, He is calling us out to experience more of His goodness. And did you know all of creation is waiting for you to take that step! Many of us need to get out of the boat as we know we have already Jesus say "Come." We continue to hide in the boat but we have a light to shine. The amazing thing about when we step out, is that it can only bring glory to God-when you do begin to walk on water in the midst of the storm (and I believe you will) it will not be because of anything you have done, but because of Jesus. You need to get out the boat, not so the world can see what you can do, but so the world can see what He can do! That storms and situations are for us to walk over not be tossed by. Get out! Whatever step you need to take, I encourage you take it and walk in who you are! Step out and stand out and show what God can do.
A side note of encouragement. We can often get distracted by the storms around us, even as we walk on water, but we need to keep our eyes on Christ at ALL times! And what happens if we do get distracted and being to sink? (8) I was sinking, so de-e-ep in sin (8)... He is there to catch us! His hand is not short! He is our Redeemer, our Rescuer! Don't worry about failing when you step out of the boat, He is hoping the best and will catch you at any time!!
Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us
Philippians 1:6 He who has begun a good work in you, is faithful to complete it
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