Walk Into It

There is something about stepping into the unknown that is nauseating. I find myself getting queasy and questioning every move. I look back and wonder what in the world am I doing. Whose idea was this anyway? Was it just me? Did I really hear God’s voice? Heart pounding and all I keep moving forward… and for a split second I smile, relax, and think, “Wow…this is amazing!”

Then I look around me…not back as I did before…but now looking at where I am. I realize that by all, natural means I shouldn’t be able to stand. As I notice the elements, my faith rapidly diminishes. I’m not only nauseated, I’m terrified! I close my eyes in fear; I’m not sure I can take another step…not even to turn back! I’m stuck and feel helpless. Why did I do this?! Jesus please help me!

Out of nowhere, it seems, there is an outstretched hand. I quickly reach for it, feel the gentle pull, and get my footing again. Warmth surrounds me. Encouragement comes. My faith returns. I can do this; with God I can. For a moment I had forgotten He was with me…

I’m often reminded of Peter; the man who walked on the water. We tend to remember his lacking faith more than him stepping out in faith. We see his sinking more than we see the outstretched hand. Why is that? Why do we focus on Peter’s momentary weakness instead of his willingness to do something no one else was doing? He asked to walk on water. He wanted to. And from where he was standing it looked like an amazing opportunity to experience the miraculous. And he did.

The other disciples saw it; they watched it transpire right before their very eyes. They saw Peter walking on the water! How awesome it would have been to see! But they didn’t experience it. Huge difference. They were all still disciples in the end, but Peter went to a place they didn’t.

For me, this is my go-to, real life story of hope. Jesus didn’t abandon Peter when his faith was failing; He was right there in the midst of it all. He didn’t forsake him; He rescued him. This is our same hope. When we have moments of doubt and feel like everything is falling apart, Jesus isn’t going to leave us there. We can step out when our faith is full, knowing that even if we struggle along the way, He will be there to lift us up when we fall.

When is the last time you asked God to bid you come? I’m feeling a strong urge to step out in faith. I asked; He’s spoken. I don’t just want to see what God is doing in the lives of other people, I want to experience it for myself. It’s amazing to see the miraculous take place; but it’s pure joy that’s unspeakable when it’s happening to you.

I can already begin to feel the pounding of my heart. But my faith is full at the moment. Even with the butterflies in my stomach I’m so eager to move at the sound of my Lord’s voice. There is a potential miracle awaiting me. All I have to do is walk into it. Unwavering faith propels me forward…but there is a hope that awaits me if I find myself focusing on the facts. God will be right there with me to offer His loving hand of strength and encouragement…reminding me that He is there and I have nothing to fear.

What are you waiting for? No one is going to push you out of the boat. Sure, you can watch as someone else walks on the water. That’s awesome. But if you’ll ask God, He just might say, “Come. I have a miracle awaiting you. Walk into it.”

“ And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.  And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.  And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him…”

Matthew 14:28-31