Walking On Water

When we were children and we were scared probably we went to our parents room or that place that we felt secure.

Where does our security lie now?

For these disciples and for many of us we might say our security lies in Jesus. Let us remember that in this situation Jesus is not in our boat he is walking out on the water, not only that, the storm is out on the water. The only thing that is between them and the storm is the security of their boat.

Twelve disciples sat in the boat, but only Peter's reaction is recorded in detail. In Matthew 14v28 he says "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water. Why does Matthew include this detail? Why doesn't Peter just jump over the side and plunge into the water? I think it's for this very important reason...

It is a lesson to us, to discern between an authentic call from God and what might simply be a foolish impulse on our part. Courage alone to step out in faith is not enough; it must be accompanied by wisdom and discernment.

Matthew is not glorifying risk-taking for its own sake. Jesus is not looking for bungee jumping Christians!

This is not a story about extreme sports. It's about extreme discipleship. This means that before Peter gets out of the boat he had better make sure that Jesus thinks it's a good idea. So he asks for clarification, "If it is you, command me..."

This is what Jesus wants for us when we see and recognise Jesus for who he is. Jesus invitation is to "come" (Matthew 14 v29) to step out of our boats and go on the adventure of our lives. For the most safest place to be is where Jesus is, even if that means be with Jesus out there where the storm is.

If we wait to step out in faith and obedience, if we wait for the right conditions we might be waiting for ever. For what is easier to try, walk on water when the sea is calm or walk on water when it is rough? The question here is not the conditions, but has Jesus called us to come and walk on the water.

Put yourself in Peter's place for a moment. Now the boat is not safe and it's not secure, but it is what we know and therefore it feels secure and safe. It is familiar to us and for that reason we feel safe. Yet we know we are fooling ourselves, for we do not know what life is going to throw at us around the next corner.

Out there on the stormy waters, there is only uncertainty and insecurity, but Jesus is out there and he is inviting us to get out of our boat and join him. I am not going to lie to you, that if we get out of our boat, whatever that may be, there is a chance you might sink. But if we don't get out of the boat, there is a guaranteed certainty that we will never experience what it means to be where Jesus is when he calls us to walk on the water. If we want to walk on the water, then we've got to get out of the boat.

I believe the Holy Spirit inside each of us is telling us if we are willing to listen there is more to life than sitting in the boat. We are made for something more than merely avoiding the possibility of failing, which stops us getting out of the boat. There is something inside us that wants to walk on the water - to leave the comfort of routine existence and abandon ourselves to the high adventure of following God.

What are the things that hold you back from responding to Jesus' call to come where he is.

Our boats are whatever represents safety and security to us apart from God himself. Our boat is whatever tempts us to put our trust in, especially when life gets a little stormy. Our boat is whatever keeps us so comfortable that we don't want to give it up even if it's keeping us from joining Jesus on the waves. Our boat is whatever pulls us away from the high adventure of extreme discipleship.

Do you want to know what your boat is? Your fear will tell you. Just ask yourself this: What is it that most produces fear in me - especially when I think of leaving it behind when I step out in faith?

Maybe your boat is security. That was the case for the rich young ruler in the Bible. Jesus asked him to get out of the boat "sell all that you have, give the money to the poor, and come and follow me" but he decided not to. He had a very nice boat. It was too much for him to give it up. I wonder if he ever thought about that encounter with Jesus when he reached the end of his life - when he was an old man. Did he ever remember that day when Jesus called him to risk the whole thing for one wild bet on the kingdom of God - and he said no? The thing which was in his driving seat was his wealth, his security.

What is your boat? In what area of your life are you shrinking back from fully trusting God? Fear will tell you what your boat is. Leaving it may be the hardest thing you ever do. But if you want to walk on the water, you've got to get out of the boat.