How often do you value safety over your growth and guarantees over adventure and choosing to step out in trust and faith?
How often do you challenge yourself to get out of your comfort zone, like Peter in the Bible did when Jesus called. He stepped out onto the water rather than remaining in the “boat”. His friends however chose to sit back and merely watch as an amazing miracle and opportunity passed them by?
The question perhaps to regularly ask is, “What am I doing that I could not do apart from the power of God operating in my life?”
Peter could only walk on water because Jesus stepped forward as Peter stepped out. (Matt 14:22-33)
Gideon only defeated a 130,000 strong army with 300 men because God’s hand moved to help him. (Judges 6)
Joshua led several million people to march around the walls of Jericho and only witnessed a giant wall come tumbling down because of his courage and obedience to God’s instructions and the release of God’s power. (Joshua 6)
None of these heroes of faith would have experienced victory over their circumstances unless God was there to meet them as they stepped out in faith and trust.
But when you desire safety and a guarantee that things will be comfortable and go only as you’ve planned, rather than choosing to trust God’s goodness and promises very little or no faith will be involved. A a result you will continue to live within the natural level of things rather than experience as a regular occurrence the supernatural and amazing life has for you.
If you can do it alone or within your current ability and understanding you are going to experience a limited, less exciting version of the life God has planned for you. God knows that it will take faith and boldness to access the destiny He has for you, and that you will need Him to walk with you to achieve everything He has in mind. You can’t do it alone or in your own limited strength.
However, if you desire to experience and live that abundant overflowing life you know or hear from others is possible in God, you’ll be required to take a step, trusting God will meet you as you do.
Peter had to get his feet wet, Gideon had to come out from hiding and gather his men, Joshua had to march around the city for six days with no sign of change, trusting he had heard from God correctly.
All of these heroes of faith experienced something that mere spectators will never know. They knew the freedom and exhilaration of experiencing God’s power at work after taking an enormous risk. They came to know God – to know Him as the one who provides, sustains, rescues, fights for them and works miracles.
Today where is Jesus calling you to take a step and get out of the “boat”? Because whenever and wherever it is you can be sure Jesus is waiting to meet you there.
As you consider I recommend that you take some time to calculate the risk, determine if the regret of not stepping out is worse than the risk of failing or disappointment; pray and seek God’s Word and wisdom and then go on and take a step and let your faith be bigger than your fear.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5-7)
“For God gave us not a spirit of fear but power and love and self-control“. (2Tim 1:7)
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
Prayer: Lord help me to not be someone who watches life pass me by but because of my fears, desire for guarantees and need for security I keep putting off or ignoring your call to take a step into what you have for me. In Jesus name Amen.
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