Walking on Water: Stepping Out of the Boat
You are probably familiar with the story of Jesus and Peter walking on water. This is so much more than a simple story of yet another one of the miracles of Jesus. We see Peter responding to the call of Jesus and stepping out of the comfort and safety of the boat, onto the crashing waves of uncertainty. It is a lesson and a tangible example of someone going through the same process of faith that we go through in our lives today. This story is found in Matthew Chapter 14.
Matthew 14: 25-33 (NIV):
During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 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.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water towards them, they didn’t recognize him. He came to be with them but they weren’t expecting him or looking for him. When Jesus called out to them, Peter was quick to hear and respond. He listened for the voice of Jesus over the commotion and fear of his companions. When Jesus called him to walk on the water, Peter knew it was him. Now Peter had to make the decision as to whether he would follow.
This decision is probably the most crucial moment and the biggest dilemma we face in active faith. We have that moment when our faith is tested. We look at all the options, weigh what God is saying and discern that it really is his voice. This process takes so much prayer because we need to be sure it is really God’s voice and not our own thoughts. Once we know the word is from God, we have to decide if we will take that step and obey or stay right where we are. This place of wavering is probably the most agonizing part of the whole process.
In the boat he was safe and secure. He had friends around him and his feet were firmly planted. Everyone had faith in the stability of the boat, and that’s where they stayed. In the water he would die unless Jesus held him up, but he had the faith to trust Jesus with his life. So he stepped out on faith. He stepped out from his comfort zone and into the water where the only thing he had was his faith. It made no logical sense to do this. It was unknown what would happen. I’m sure it was scary, but he knew it was the right thing. That faith alone carried him over the edge and onto the waves.
Many times in our walk with God, he will ask us to step out in faith. He may ask us to do something that doesn’t make logical sense. He may ask us to do things that are hard and uncomfortable. He may ask you to leave a church, leave a job, move to a new place, or change your entire career. We are often called out of the place we feel at home and secure. God calls us out to do his work, and we can’t do that within our comfort zones. There is a big world out there that needs him, and we won’t do much good safely nestled within the walls of our churches and small circles of friends
Stepping out on faith may be the first and most important part of the process, but it’s not the end of it. We have to live out our faith and stand strong, even in the face of the wind and the waves. This is where the rest of the story comes in. I will go into this in the next half of this post.
October 11th, 2008 at 11:12 am
What brought me here initially was your last name. Not many of us Nicholsons running around the net. Well,I know there are two,anyway!
I am struggling with the faith issue. I moved away from my home for employment and am 2K miles away. I ve been here a year and have established some friends thru work,church,and AA recovery meetings. I have been attending a Christian non-denominational church almost since I arrived. I had not attended services in over 40 years.
I have no problem with believing that God exists. I see wonderful things and situations He created every day. Thats a gift I really do cherish.
Now,here comes the “BUT..”
but, I do have a bit of a problem believing that Jesus is the answer to our salvation. I think that Jesus did have godly gifts,and did create miracles. But I m not convinced that he is the one and only way to have a personal relationship with God.
Maybe I m in denial,I m not sure. But I m reall confused about Christianity. I want to believe,but there is something blocking me from it. Perhaps it is my pride. I see everyone at the service I attend on Sundays and they all seem real happy.
maybe I should rely on Gods time schedule and not mine. I will keep doing my best and keep an open mind and perhaps the anwsers will come when there are supposedto.
Thanks for your blog.
Brad Nicholson
October 14th, 2008 at 11:39 am
First of all you’re not alone. There are about 10 Mike Nicholsons just in my Facebook friends list alone.
Secondly you’re not alone. The reason they refer to Christianity as a walk of faith is that it’s a process and a journey. Our salvation is sealed when we believe and accept the sacrifice Jesus made for us as atonement for our sins, but that is just the first part of the journey. That is the act of stepping out of the boat. The rest of the process is actually walking on the water, and this is where you will be tested. Once we leave the safety of the boat Jesus will protect us and keep us alive. But we determine if we will continue to walk on the waves, or if Jesus will have to pull us up when we start to sink. I have a post on that subject scheduled for Friday, so be sure to check back here at the end of the week.
When you step out in faith, you can expect to have opposition rising up against you to try to pull you down. Sometimes it’s external and sometimes it arises from your own heart or mind. I can say that pride is the first thing God has to remove from our lives. When we rely on ourselves, we get in our own way and block his work in us. When we step back and let go of our pride, admit that God knows best, and ask him to take over, that is when he can truly change our lives and make something amazing out of us.
Doubts will try to rise up and sway you from your faith. This is a natural part of building faith. Satan doesn’t want anyone to come to God and he tries especially hard to sway new believers. Naturally doubts are the most effective means to cripple those new to the faith. Be encouraged though, as you overcome these doubts, your faith will grow.
As a new Christian, I don’t recommend trying to wrap your head around fully understanding everything. The universe is a big place and we don’t really need to understand it all. We just need to listen to the one who does. I would advise you to concentrate on building a real relationship with God and letting him teach you himself. In time he will reveal the answers to the questions you have. He will teach you what you need to know, when you need to know it. We can’t rush God, as much as we want to. His timing is not always convenient for us, but it is always best.
I realize this doesn’t actually answer your question so I’ve written a whole post on my explanation of this. I will always try to field any questions from readers as they come up (and as I have time to reply), so don’t be shy about asking. And thank you, Brad, for your reply. I pray God blesses you and reveals himself to you more each day.
October 27th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
Hi,Mike. I m baaaak.
I went to the service last Sunday and sonmething weird happened. Well..not weird,just suprising. It was time to say hello to other folks around me,so I turned around and said hi to the couple behind me. She knew my name because we met a few weeks earlier. She asked me hou I was doing,and I mentioned my long distance marriage and immeadiatly came close to bursting into tears. Weird. I had broken down a the very first servicde at this church around a year ago. Since than there are times when I have tears streaming down my face while listining to the music they play. A few weeks ago they played “Amazing Grace” for a good 20 minutes and I almost had to leave, I was so choked up. That song has a profound effect on me,espeially the “wretch like me” line.
Anyway.. I m still hanging in there. Attempting to stay open minded, attending church services and bible study.And doing my best to recognize Gods will for me.
Thanks again,Mike.
Brad