Go Water Walking

I've been reading John Ortberg's book If You Want to Walk On Water, You've Got To Get Out of the Boat. It is a study on Matthew 14:25- 32. The disciples were on a boat on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus came walking out on the water to meet them. They were scared and thought it was a ghost. Jesus told them not to be afraid. Peter answered and said," Lord if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." Jesus told him to come and so Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water towards Jesus. Then Peter noticed the wind and the waves and started to sink. He cried out to Jesus to save him and Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. Jesus asked Peter, why did you doubt?

There are lots of things that come to mind when you read this story. Peter was the only one who asked to walk out to Jesus. He was the only one with the faith and courage to step out of the boat. It was a big step of faith to leave the security of the boat and walk on water. It is a picture of what you can do with God's help that you can't do alone. Jesus told him to come and he did. He didn't stop to weigh his options or ask questions. He simply stepped out in faith and obedience.

God asks an ordinary person to engage in an act of extraordinary trust - getting out of the boat.
There is always fear in a situation like this.
There is always reassurance - God promises his presence.
There is always a decision - you must decide for yourself - no one is making you go.
There is always a changed life.

Obedience is no guarantee of being spared adversity. The waves and wind didn't stop when Peter stepped out.

What is your boat? It is anything that represents safety and security to you apart from God.

When you walk on water, you have to keep your eyes on Jesus. What are the wind and waves in your life that take your focus off of Jesus?

Accept fear as the price of growth. The decision to grow always involves a choice between comfort and risk. To be a follower of Jesus, you must renounce comfort as the ultimate value of your life.

It was Peter's willingness to risk failure that helped him to grow.

There are good reasons to get out of the boat. The water is where Jesus is. Peter didn't ask for a guarantee - just an opportunity. The disciples who stayed on the boat treasured safety over growth.

I found myself feeling sorry for Peter. He was the only one who had the faith to ask and then to obey. Yet, Jesus rebuked him for doubting. When they got into the boat, everyone worshipped Jesus and they knew He was the Son of God. I wanted to know why Jesus didn't ask the others where their faith was, why they didn't ask to come to him ....... Perhaps that's just my question.

Are you sitting in the boat, or getting out to go water walking ........