29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Matthew 14:29-33 NIV
I found this wonderful quote as I was studying the other day:
“What’s amazing when you get up and do something is what God does in your life. We just have to get up and do something. When your identity is found in Christ, your identity never changes. You are always a child of God. That’s why I always say I don’t have to live the roller coaster that the rest of the world lives.”
Tim Tebow
I find this quote so true in my life because I always come home from helping others feeling more blessed than when I started. When we work as God’s hands and feet, He blesses us for the going and the doing. When we first started taking part in short-term mission trips, I learned to step out of the boat into the raging seas of uncertainty and fear. It did not take long to learn that I could trust Jesus to keep me safe. And I realized these mission trips blessed me more than I blessed those I went to serve.
Is God Calling Us to Get Out of the Boat
Back to the story of Peter. Is God calling us to get out of the boat? It is scary to think about leaving our safe, warm surroundings to step into an unknown world where storms of trouble abound. However, God calls all of us to trust Him and take that first step towards the work He has planned for us. Jesus will be there waiting for us with a loving smile and an outstretched hand to catch us if we fall. I love this story from Matthew because Peter provides us with such a great example. Peter stepped out in faith, but quickly lost sight of Jesus and focused on the world around him. He sank. He cried out to Jesus, and Jesus rescued him.
Time to Try
Stop sitting in the boat! God is calling each of us to take a chance. If we have faith the size of a mustard seed, He will help us walk on water. God will perform miracles in and through us if we trust Him and step out. As the photos below show, God will make the storms of our life into smooth waters.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Teach us to trust in you and help us grow in righteousness. Heavenly Lord, give us the courage to step out of the boat in faith this day. Fill our hearts with your spirit and let us speak your words to people in need. Be with us and guide us every step of the way and allow us to walk on water in our faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Grace and Peace to you,
Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
Additional Resources:
I feel it’s so important to get out of that boat and reach for God-sized dreams, dreams far far bigger than we can even imagine! Beautiful post.
Thank you Jessica. He can do so much more than we can ever imagine. Blessings
“Step out of the boat” encourages us to watch and listen closely to what God is saying. Thank you, Yvonne, for challenging us to grow in Christ instead staying in our comfort zone.
Thank you Jeannie. God is waiting to do amazing things through us. Blessings
Love, love, love this Ms. Yvonne. What a perfect and timely reminder. God wants us to walk with Him daily but that doesn’t mean He wants us to sit down beside Him and plant ourselves there. He wants us to take what He’s taught us or sowed into us and use it in His service to bring Him glory. We too often think that “getting out of our boat” means we have to travel to the farthest reaches of the world. Sometimes, our mission field might be the house next door or the young family in the checkout line in front of you. All we have to do is obey God’s leading and hold our gaze on Him to see where He is going. Great post ma’am. Thank you for all your encouragement today.
Amen JD. The fields are ready for harvest all around us and He calls us out of the boat and into the harvest. I think many also think it is only the job for pastors. God calls each of us the get out of the boat.
Yvoonne, you are a living testimony that God makes a way, when we get out of the boat to follow Him. Lord, stir our hearts to love and follow you more, no matter where you lead!
Amen, no matter where He leads us. Blessings
There’s always unimaginable adventure outside the boat, but not necessarily ease. Nevertheless, I, too, have found there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. Thanks, Yvonne!
So true Annie. Such an incredible adventure and all for and from God. Thank you and many blessings
Getting out of the boat – or taking a dive – can be scary and hard. We prefer our comfort zones. But when I do take that dive, God blesses me abundantly as you said. Great post!
Thanks so much Candyce. God equips us for all He wants us to do for Him. Blessings
Yvonne, powerful! Oh how true it is that we get comfortable and refuse to get out of the boat. Your missions and ministry work make you an inspiration for us all to get out of the boat. By the way, I read a wonderful book years ago by John Ortberg, “If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat.” 🙂
That is a wonderful book, I read it too. Thanks so much Karen. Blessings
I remember standing on the side of the pool, as a teenager, wanting to learn to dive, but afraid to take that first plunge into the water. “Getting out of the boat” or any terrifying step into the unknown is kind of like that, taking that first step or move in the unknown and frightening direction is just plain scary
Yes it is very scary. I remember those days too and it was so wonderful once I dived in. From then on, I loved it. And the same is true when we step out of the boat in our faith. Thanks Katherine and blessings.