Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 233 – Matthew 14:25-31 – Out Of The Boat – Growing As Disciples
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?” Matthew 14:25-31 (NIV)
Steps Of Faith
Those are not easy steps. What are not easy steps? Taking steps of faith are not easy. Why is that? If they were easy, they would not be called steps of faith. If they were easy, they might be called my next best steps. But that is not what they are called. Taking a step of faith will cause me to leave the comfortable to do the uncomfortable. Taking a step of faith will often require me to leave the known for the unknown. A step of faith will most likely ask me to do what I cannot possible do without your help. A step of faith will almost always cause me to face my fears. What fears? Fears come in all different shapes and sizes. The most obvious fear is the fear of failure. That fear is no stranger to you. Yes, I have had to battle a fear of failure nearly my entire life. What would be a bigger failure? Would taking a step that ended in failure be a bigger failure than never taking a step of faith? No, certainly not. Never taking a step of faith would be the biggest failure of all. That’s true. That’s right. That is certain.
Let me ask you some questions? I’m listening. When have you ended up failing because you took a step of faith with me? A failure doesn’t readily come to my mind. You have had setbacks. You have had disappointments. Sometimes, things did not go as planned. Sometimes, you have had to retrace your steps. Sometimes, you have had to try again. Sometimes, you have even had to start over. All of what you say is certainly true. Were any of these failures? No, I guess not. Why is that? I never gave up. I never quit. Most importantly, you never gave up or quit on me. No, I have not, nor will I ever give up or quit on you. You have always been with me when it has been time for me to take a step of faith. If I have had a setback, disappointment or something didn’t go as planned, you have always kept me moving forward with you. Yes, I have always and will always be with you to help you to take steps of faith and keep you moving forward with me. You have nothing to fear as you keep on following me. Thank you, Lord. I will keep on taking steps of faith with you. That will be very good.
Lord, I know you want me to get out of the boat. You want me to stop playing it so safe. You want me to take steps of faith so I can go and do what you ask of me. With your help, that is what I will do. Help me to overcome fear and take steps of faith with you. Amen
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