If someone would ask you the following question, how would you describe your life, what answer would you give? Would you describe yourself as a risk taker, conservative and always playing it safe, maybe one who takes a little risk but it’s still a sure outcome, or impulsive? There are many possibilities, but there is one thing for certain, you get to choose your response.
You may have heard of the expression, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained”. Well, how you respond to the changes presented to you either opens up new and exciting open doors or closed doors. You have to trust and be willing to look beyond your current life’s circumstances.
Abram was faced with such a challenge. Abram was a man like many of us—living his life, living in his community, growing with his relatives, worshipping the familiar gods of those around him. However, Abram’s life changed one day when God called him to be different. He was called to take a bold step. He was called to step away from all that was comfortable to his way of life. His family and relatives questioned his sanity. He had to turn from worshipping the gods of his culture to worshipping the one true God. Abraham left his community for what God was leading him to and daily developed faith and trust in God to walk out this new calling placed on his life.
Abram had to trust God for many years before he saw the results of his faith and trust in God. His joy came to him because God was faithful. God’s mercy and promises are for all those who place their lives in His hands. Read Genesis 12:1-9.
Peter was challenged, like Abram, in much the same way. After the Bible’s account of Jesus feeding 5,000 men, this number does not include women and children, it records Jesus walking on the water, possibly, the Sea of Galilee. He has the following encounter with his disciples, specifically with his disciple Peter.
Matthew 14:22-33 NKJV
Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. [23] And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. [24] But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. [25] Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. [26] And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. [27] But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” [28] And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” [29] So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. [30] But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” [31] And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” [32] And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. [33] Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”
It took a lot of guts for Peter to get out of the boat, even if he sank when he took his eyes and focus off Jesus. At lease he got out of the boat. He trusted the Lord Jesus to make that huge step of faith that would change his life forever. Peter’s life would never be the same again, just because he “stepped out of the boat”.
Like both Peter and Abram, you will have times in your life where you are challenged to make a change in your life. Will you respond with objections like I am too old. Abram was 75 years old when he said yes to God’s call. Will you say it’s impossible for me to do such a thing, Peter just focused on Jesus and he was standing on the water. Have you stood on water lately?
In both accounts, Peter and Abram’s lives were changed forever. Besides becoming a great nation, Abram’s name was changed to Abraham, signifying and marking his encounter with God. Peter became a pillar within the church, the Body of Christ, that helped spread the message of the Lord Jesus Christ throughout the known world at that time in history.
When we are asked by God to “Get out of our boat to encounter Him”, trust Him, believe he has your best interest and will take care of you. Don’t make excuses that steal your blessing and life change. “Step out of the boat!”
Blessings,
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