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.”
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