At Least He Got Out of the Boat!

I was inspired by my "anchor" blog yesterday enough to give me "meat" for my blog today. Here comes Jesus walking on the water. He calls Peter to come to Him, so in a bold, audacious step of faith, Peter got out of the boat and started walking on water. He didn't hesitate. He took a leap, rather a walk, of faith. But when he took his eyes off of Jesus, he started sinking. Jesus saved the day for him and picked him up. (Matthew 14:22-33). Way to go, Peter! Way to save, Jesus!

I’ve heard many messages and sermons on Peter’s lack of faith. But, I started thinking, at least he had the faith to get out of the boat. After all, the other disciples just sat there in their fear. We shouldn’t criticize Peter for sinking. If only he would have kept his eyes on Jesus – the story would be one of great faith! Our story would be one of great faith, too, if we would keep OUR eyes on Jesus and not on our circumstances.

I am sure the boat squatters thought Peter was un poco loco for what he did. They were huddled, yearning to be free, and not trusting in Jesus like Peter did. I'm not saying those men didn’t have faith. Just saying they didn’t have enough faith to step out of the boat. Just the same, we cannot say anything to Peter because too often we are not getting out of the boat either! No matter the storm or situation we are faced with, it's up to us to get out of the boat and trust Jesus!

You know the deal -- when we stretch our faith, and go for it: "Yes, we're buying a house" or "Yes, we're going to start our family" or "Yes, we are going to adopt" or "Yes, I'm accepting the job offer even though the pay is less. It's what I love to do" or "Yes, I will run a marathon" or "Yes, I will start a Bible Study in my home" or "Yes, I'm quitting smoking" or "Yes, we're moving!" It's all about TRUSTING God to hold us up, when we stretch our faith to "walk on water"!

It's that first step that holds so many of us back. But, it's time for us to get out of our comfort zone. Sometimes God shakes things up around us to make us so uncomfortable that we will strive to move from where we are, to the next level of our destiny. And, those adversities we are facing? God could be allowing them to push us out of the boat and into the deep, so He can bless us with a new level of faith, maturity and blessings! It's time to live with "no regrets" and for us to learn to let go of our fears and insecurities, and to reach out for life at its fullest. Even if we fall, as Peter did, there will always be SOMEONE to reach out and help us get our balance again! And, by the way, our Lifeguard DOES walk on water -- so no need to worry or fret!

We Don't Know What to Do, But Our Eyes Are on You

We live in a mighty crazy, shaky world. Everything seems to be going our way when, in a moment's notice, we can be gripped with fear, concern, and worry. At those times, if we’re keeping our eyes on Jesus, we’ll stand strong no matter what the circumstances are that are swirling around us. Keeping our eyes on Jesus will keep us strong during those shaky times.

When the Israelite King Jehoshaphat first heard about three fierce armies coming to attack his kingdom, we read: “Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD. He proclaimed a fast for all Judah” (2 Chronicles 20:3). Jehoshaphat praised God before he cried out, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”

Life happens. Those times when we don’t know what to do or where to go. We’re quite willing to be directed by God to do and go – but sometimes the doing and going is hard to figure out. I’ll never forget when, like Jehoshaphat, we faced armies of our own. During my husband’s illness, there were many do-gooders who gave us advice. “Take this nutritional product. Trust God. Try this doctor. Go to this facility. Don’t eat this or that.” And, even some well-meaning people, with well-meaning intentions, told us of their own awful experiences or someone they knew who had died from the same illness.

How can we graciously respond to the voices and not give in to fear? God answered King Jehoshaphat — and all of us — by saying, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2 Chron 20:15).
When Jehoshaphat and his armies were confronted with an overwhelming challenge, they prayed instead of worrying. They moved their eyes off the problem onto the ultimate Problem-Solver. Although they didn’t know what to do, they were filled with God’s inexplicable peace as they walked in faith.

Our family did the same thing. When wisdom was needed, we prayed. We didn’t make a decision unless we conferred and prayed about it. We daily sought God for guidance, and He led the way to the best medical teams. We had people around the world praying for us. We ate more nutritiously. We allowed God to fight the battle for us.

God carried us through, defeated the enemies circling us, and, ultimately my sweetheart got his "fast pass" to heaven. Through it all, we trusted in Jesus like never before. We were an example to others of what to do and where to go when you don’t know what to do and where to go. We learned to “keep our eyes always on the LORD. With Him at our right hand, we were not shaken.” (Psalm 16:8).

What are you facing today? The battle is not yours, it’s God’s. Start by praising God for who He is, then rest in the fact that He goes before you to help tackle whatever problem stands in front of you.

Lord, we praise You for Your power. We need only to look to You because You will go before us and fight our battles. Please forgive us for the times we take our eyes off You and become shaken and fearful. Help us step out in faith, knowing You go before us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.