Get Out Of The Boat

One of my favorite stories in the Bible is from Mathew 14:25-33.  I'm sure you know it!

25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

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.”

I love this story for a few reasons, but let's start at the beginning.  Remember the Bible isn't a make believe story book.  It's a testiment, filled with true stories and testimonies from the people who lived them.  I think sometimes we forget that these people are real.  Real people with real emotions, real fears, real families, and real problems.  The Bible is full of great stories filled with great people.  

 As Jesus walked towards his disciples in the boat, they saw him and cried out in fear.  Fear is a very powerful emotion.  In fact, I believe that it is Satan's most powerful tool.  Fear can cripple a man.  Fear can kill ideas.  Fear distances you from your faith.  

Jesus saw that they were afraid and called out to them.  "Take courage!  It is I.  Do not be afraid!"  Jesus does not want you to be afraid.  He knows that fear can be dangerous and stray us from our path.  He knows that you can not live a free life and be bound by fear.  He calls out to you "Take courage!  It is I.  Do not be afraid!"

Peter called out to him, asking "Lord, is this you?  I want to trust; I want to act, but I am not sure.  Is this the path I should take?"  Put yourself in Peter's shoes.  You see a figure walking on water.  It tells you to do the same.  Do you have enough faith?  Do you trust enough?  Peter got out of his boat and was confident enough, faithful enough and courageous enough to stand on the water and walk towards Jesus.  

Think about that for a second!  How amazing!   Could you imagine? 

Peter was doing it!  He was walking by faith with Jesus.  He was doing the impossible.  But then he saw the wind and his faith waivered.  He begun to be afraid again and started to sink.

God caught him immediately and asked him, "why do you doubt?"  When they got back to the boat the disciples begun to priase him.  He IS the Son of God!  

God wants us to walk by faith.  But he doesn't want us to just walk by faith when the road is smooth.  He will be there for us when things are smooth and when there are hazards standing in our way.  When we begin to doubt - when we turn to fear instead of faith, that is when we begin to sink.  

But God won't abandon you!  If you find yourself sinking call out to God! Stop treading water!  Reach out to God and ask for help!

Peter was bold and reached out to God.  Can you imagine what the other disciples were thinking?  Why didn't they try to get out of the boat and walk towards Jesus?  Their fear held them back.  Instead, they sat and watched Peter walk with God on water. If you think God is giving you an opportunity - sieze it!  Be bold!  Don't sit in the boat and pass by the opportunities that God is sending you.   

It's better to try and to stumble than to live in doubt and miss out on the opportunities God has for you.  He will catch you if you fall.  God wants you to have a glorious life.  It's time to trust God and get out of the boat.