Out Of The Boat!

Today I’m sharing the first devotion in the Stepping Out In Faith Devotional Series on the blog and podcast called: Out Of The Boat.

This devotion focuses on the story of Peter walking on water towards Jesus from Matthew 14.

Out Of The Boat!

Focus verse

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. – Matthew 14:27-29

Devotion

In today’s verse, we see that Peter asked Jesus to call Him out onto the water.

I know we often judge Peter for not having enough faith in what happens in this story, but in fact, Peter started out full of faith! I can’t think of many people, myself included, who would dare leave the comfort of a boat to walk on dangerous waters.

Peter was brave. Peter was aware of the wind, but Peter looked to Jesus, whose power allowed him to walk on the rough sea.

So, Peter got out of the boat. He left safety. He left comfort (compared to the rough waters). He left familiarity (he was a fisherman).

And so we, too, need to do that thing Jesus wants us to step out in faith and do. The winds may be strong. The waters may be rough. But He is the One calling us out.

He wants us to trust in Him enough that we’re willing to forsake familiarity. He wants us to trust Him enough that we’re willing to forsake comfort. He wants us to trust Him enough that we’re willing to forsake safety.

Maybe you can sense Jesus calling you to leave your comfort zone and share your testimony with your work friends. Or maybe Jesus is leading you to leave your friends and family and serve Him in another city or country. Or maybe you know Jesus is calling you to adopt a child.

Or to risk losing money by coming clean with your taxes. Or to give up on social media. Or to go against the consumer culture by living a simple life. Jesus speaks to us in different ways at different times.

But He is calling. Are you ready to step out of the boat?

Questions for reflection

• What areas in your life do you feel Jesus speaking to you about leaving comfort, familiarity, and safety of circumstances? Have you taken this to your church leaders and/or prayed over these areas?
• Does having children cause you anxiety when it comes to abandoning your comfort zone and living by faith? How can you entrust your children to Jesus’ care?

Prayer

Thank You, Jesus, that You are calling me to trust You so much that I’m willing to surrender my comfort to follow You. Thank You I can trust You because You are good, powerful and holy. Thank You that You are my rock and I can trust You to enable me to walk on water.