Getting out of the Boat

So we all know the story of Jesus walking on the water. Peter sees Him and says, "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water." He gets out of the boat, takes few steps on the water, gets distracted by the storm, looses his footing, Jesus rescues him and they get back in the boat together as the storm subsides.

Most people take this experience and pin Peter as a "goat", because he took his eyes off Jesus and therefore failed. I'd like to say, "Let's not be so hard on the guy." After all, he was walking on water, not exactly a natural thing to do. He was seeing Jesus walking on the water, which would really trip me out. And, here's what I think is so key, he got out of the boat. He saw Jesus, took action and got...out...of...the...boat.

For so many of us, we get into a Christian Comfort Zone and. seldom. do we truly get out of the boat. We take a small chance, it doesn't kill us, there's some good that happens and we kind of "stay put". And then we stay in a hold pattern. I don't think that's what God wants us to do. To be sure, he doesn't want to put us in a place of peril, but a place where we take some action on faith and let Him do the rest. Our own "walk on water" experience. To simply help us grow in Him.

For example, my friend Mark befriended "the new guy" at work. Others in his department were too busy to worry about him, but Mark got out of the boat and befriended the guy. Turns out this guy's wife had just died from a heart malfunction – and she died carrying their yet-to-be-born child. Can you imagine how empty and lost this guy must be feeling? So Mark's "getting out of the boat", befriending and mentoring "the new guy" has given him some new hope and promise. By the way, the guy's name is "Christian", please pray for him.

Another friend of mine is getting out of the boat by trying out as a contestant on "Deal or No Deal". No joke. But here's the twist, she's going into the tryouts locked and loaded with tons of information about "H2O Nigeria" and all the good it's doing right now. Seven wells dug so far with more to follow. Lives saved. Futures transformed. After decades of false promises by the government, God shows up and in 4 months shows them His love and mercy. And Amy, my friend, doesn't care if she gets on TV or wins a million dollars. She just wants to spread the word about the work that God is doing in Jos, Nigeria any way she can. She's truly out of the boat.

So I guess what I'm asking you to do is to pray for God to show you ways to get out of the boat. To take a deep breath, say "God, I really, really need you to show up" and let Him do just that. Doesn't have to be big or grand, it could be as simple as buying a stranger a cup of coffee or saying "Hello" to a neighbor you've never met. But let God lead you. After all, I can't think of anything cooler than walking on water with Jesus. Even if it's only for a moment.

Have a great weekend!