If You Want To Do It, You Have To Get Out of the Boat.
OPENING PRAYER:
Lord, give me a willing heart and a bold determination to listen to your word and step out in faith like never before.
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there all alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from the land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
Shortly before dawn 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 strong wind and the waves, 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." Matthew 14:22-33 (NI
REFLECT:
If you've ever been on a lake or the ocean during a severe storm, then you know how scary the water can be. In the ancient world, the sea was associated with the god of chaos. They believed from the beginning of time the destructive and unpredictable power of chaos was battling against all that was good and right, trying to tear it apart. Feeling helpless, being battered about by forces greater than you was chaos.
Has chaos ever surrounded you? A sudden death? A routine trip to the doctor becomes a devastating diagnosis? Your spouse announces that they don't love you anymore and are leaving? Your home loses its value, and you receive a foreclosure notice in the mail? A friend betrays you? You lose your job and finances dwindle while the cost-of-living day to day increases?
Storms rage in our lives every day. How do we rise above the chaos?
APPLY:
Peter, who is surrounded by chaos, hears the call of Jesus to come. Here Peter does an amazing thing. He steps out of the boat with a trusting heart. One leg follows the other, and he is walking on top of the water. He has risen above the chaos, defying its power.
Here we learn that if you want to do it, you have to get out of the boat. It can be a crazy, scary step to take, when you listen to God and discern what you need to do to answer his call. You may have a difficult conversation with someone. You may admit your own sin in a situation and take some of the responsibility for the chaos. You may forgive someone that you don't think deserves it. You may cut up your credit cards, or sell you house, or make drastic lifestyle changes. You may be called to give from your financial resources for the first time or to increase what you are already giving. You may be called to help relieve someone else's chaos. Whatever it may be, it feels totally overwhelming and seemingly impossible.
Next you will be experiencing supernatural things. God will give you a peace that you didn't think you could have. You'll see God working in ways you never thought possible. The storm will still be around you, but you'll be able to stand in it, in spite of it.
We must look to Peter stepping out of the boat into chaos and accept that we don't know how this will work out. But, if Jesus is calling to me, then I will step out in faith.
Can you do the same and step out with the generosity of your resources using your gifts, talents, time, and finances? Stepping out of the boat with a trusting heart, you will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord, be with me as I continue to hear and discern your calling. Grant me the courage to step out of the boat in response to your call. Amen.
WORSHIP: