Go Big, Or Stay In The Boat!

Matthew 14:29-30  “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

Picture this: a storm is raging over the Sea of Galilee, and the disciples are stuck in a boat out in the middle of it. Even the experienced fisherman were freaking out.

Then, to make matters worse, they see a man walking on the water! What was in those five loaves and fishes they just ate? Some of them think it’s a ghost, but then Jesus speaks to them and tells them not to be afraid.

Peter, always the impetuous disciple (my kind of guy), tells Jesus that if it’s really him, ask Peter to walk on the water.

Now, here’s where the story gets interesting. We always focus on Peter, who walked on the water, but got freaked out and scared. I have heard preachers bemoan Peter’s loss of faith, that “if he had just kept his eyes on Jesus…”

I look at it a little differently. Peter went big! There were 11 other disciples that never got out of the boat.

So why let the storm rage? Jesus could have stopped the storm any time, in fact he stopped it right after Peter “began to sink.”  Maybe because Jesus was looking for people to step up and step out. I would rather test the waters and maybe start to sink than be frozen by fear in the boat.

What could God accomplish in your life if you truly followed and trusted him? What has he been asking you to do? I can’t answer that, but I can tell you that it is time for you to go big, or stay in the boat. I know where I want to be…

Today’s Readings: 2 Samuel 2; 1 Chronicles 11: Psalm 142; Matthew 14