Empty boats.

Matthew 14:29-31 says, ““Come and join me,” Jesus replied. So Peter stepped out onto the water and began to walk toward Jesus. But when he realized how high the waves were, he became frightened and started to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he cried out. Jesus immediately stretched out his hand and lifted him up and said, “What little faith you have! Why would you let doubt win?””.

Learning to step out of the boat and walk on water sounds exciting in theory. I cannot remember how many times I sang the Oceans song and I was excited about this concept of walking on water. However, in reality, walking on the water can be a scary experience. I have realised that many of us look at Peter and think, “I cannot believe he started to sink!” Our reaction really ought to be, “I cannot believe he stepped out of the boat and onto raging waters!”

I love what God displayed in that story. The moment Peter started to sink and cried out, the Bible says, “immediately” Jesus stretched out his hand and lifted him up. I have read Matthew 14:31 in the New Living Translation, The Passion Translation, the King James Version and the New international Version and they may all express the story in different language or phrasing but all of them are sure to say Jesus responded “immediately”.

This encourages me to step out of the boat and do the things that terrify me because I know that the moment I begin to sink, immediately, Jesus will reach out to me and rescue me. See Jesus didn’t tell Peter off and let him sink to be an example to others. He rescued him then told him why he sank.

As we walk out our faith journeys we have to know that it is OK to make mistakes. Like Peter, we are not perfect and sometimes our faith may fail us and we begin to sink. God will be sure to rescue us. We have to know that it is OK to take risks with God. I don’t mean for you to act crazy and do ungodly or unbiblical things. I mean when God asks you to step out of your comfort zone- that is always a risk worth taking.

God can be trusted. If He puts something before us, then we are graced for it. We are fully equipped and well able to do all that God ask us to do especially when we do not feel like it. God can be trusted. He will not let us sink.

May our boats of comfort be found empty and may we be found trusting God and walking on the waters beyond what is known or familiar or even comfortable to us.

Have a blessed week!