After returning from our Big Oak Mission Experience trip, Martin Houston challenged each of us to “get out of the boat.” Reminiscent of Matthew 14:26-31 which reads:
But when the disciples saw Jesus walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when Peter saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of Peter, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
As we apply this to our lives, getting out of the boat is like getting out of our comfort zone. Peter spoke to Jesus asking Him to command Peter to come to him (walking “on the water”). When we ask Jesus to give us courage to witness to people, it is like asking Him to command us to come to Him on the water. It is scary at first; we think we can’t do it. But we soon find that it is possible. And really a little fun. Just as you receive joy from telling people about your day, it’s a joy to tell people about what Jesus is doing in your life.
As one reads this, it is evident that Peter, who got out of the boat began to sink. Unfortunately, this will also be true in our lives. Even if we do get out of the boat (witness for Him), we will eventually sink at some point. Something will cause us to take our eyes off Jesus (just as Peter did), and we will begin to fall. However, there is good news…!
Just as Peter began to sink, he cried out to Jesus: “Lord, save me.” Then, “Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him.” Although we will stumble and/or fall in our walk with the Lord, He is there to reach down, pick us up, and take hold of our lives again. Jesus is always there, available anytime to help us out.
But first…, we must get out of the boat. We must be willing to follow the Lord. We have to take the initial step toward Him. Some people make fun of Peter because he began to sink. However, he was the only disciple brave enough to go to the Lord in times of trouble (the storm). Reach out to the Lord today and go to Him. Even if you do sink, He will be there to rescue you.
