I’m NOT a Boat Squatter

So, you know the story. The winds and waves are in an uproar and the disciples are totally freaked out. They think their lives are about to be taken when here comes Jesus walking on the water.

He calls Peter to come to Him. Without any hesitancy, Peter is audacious enough to obey the voice of His Lord. In a bold move, Peter got out of the boat and was actually walking on water.

But we know the rest of that Bible story. As long as his eyes were on Jesus — he conquered. But when he took his eyes off of Jesus, he started sinking. Jesus saved the day for Peter and saves the day for you and me because we believe that story to be true. Jesus reached out and saved Peter. (Matthew 14:22-33). Way to go, Peter! Way to save, Jesus!

I’ve heard many messages and sermons on Peter’s lack of faith. But, Peter didn’t hesitate to make a move when Jesus called him. At least he had the faith to get out of the boat. After all, the other disciples just sat there in their fear.

Peter should not be criticized for sinking. He at least sat out to believe. If only he would have kept his eyes on Jesus – the story would be one of great faith! Our story would be one of great faith, too, if we would keep OUR eyes on Jesus and not on our circumstances.

I am sure the boat squatters thought Peter was un poco loco for what he did. They were huddled, yearning to be free, and not trusting in Jesus like Peter did. I’m not saying those men didn’t have faith. Just saying they didn’t have enough faith to step out of the boat.

Just the same, we cannot say anything about Peter looking at the winds and waves. On Tuesday, I was driving across Austin in torrential rains. I was definitely keeping my eyes on the rains and the road — hoping I didn’t drift off the pavement.

I made it to my destination just fine, because the rain-maker and rain-stopper was with me — leading and guiding me. I didn’t have to get out of a boat, but still I trusted Jesus to get me to where I was going. Like Peter’s faith, my faith was being stretched.

And isn’t that what pleases God? You know the deal — when we stretch our faith, and go for it: “Yes, we’re buying a house” or “Yes, we’re going to start our family” or “Yes, we are going to adopt” or “Yes, I’m accepting the job offer even though the pay is less. It’s “Yes, I will run a marathon” or “Yes, I will start a Bible Study in my home” or “Yes, I’m quitting smoking” or “Yes, we’re moving!” It’s all about TRUSTING God to hold us up, when we stretch our faith to “walk on water”!

It’s that first step that holds so many of us back. But, it’s time for us to get out of our comfort zone. Sometimes God shakes things up around us to make us so uncomfortable that we will strive to move from where we are, to the next level of our destiny.

And, those adversities we are facing? God could be allowing them to push us out of the boat and into the deep, so He can bless us with a new level of faith, maturity and blessings!

It’s time to live with “no regrets” and for us to learn to let go of our fears and insecurities, and to reach out for life at its fullest. Even if we fall, as Peter did, there will always be SOMEONE to reach out and help us get our balance again! And, by the way, our Lifeguard DOES walk on water — so no need to worry or fret!