by Esther Walden*
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, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
–Matthew 14:28-31–
“If you build it they will come” is a line from the movie Field of Dreams. It is also one of the ways that Mark Batterson says is a way of expressing faith. Yet, I prefer another saying that he uses in his book “Chase the Lion.” It is “…if you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat.” It brings to mind the image of Peter striding towards Jesus in the middle of the storm. When Peter got out of the boat and he kept his eyes on Jesus he was able to walk on water. However, as soon as he let his senses and his fears take his eyes away from Christ then he started to sink. When that happened he asked Christ to save him. Jesus helped Peter, but then asked him “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
If we could only be like the Peter at the beginning of the story, with our eyes full of faith and love for the one we have always trusted. How many people could we reach for Christ if only we would step out in faith instead of worrying about what outsiders or even other members of our own church might think about what we feel Christ has called us to do?
Are you hearing Jesus’ call for your life? What’s stopping you from getting out of the boat? Keep your eyes focused on the one who calls you to His service. While he won’t promise that you will never see storms, He does promise to be there, supporting you during them.
As it says in the hymn:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in his wonderful face.
And the things of earth shall grow strangely dim,
in the light of His glory and grace.
Trust in the Lord, and step out of the boat so He can shower you with the blessings He has for you and for our community.
*Esther Walden is a member of the City Road Chapel UMC, who sings in the choir and works with our youth ministry.