Water-Walking

 

One of my favorite books is John Ortberg’s, If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat. It’s built around the story of Peter walking on the water.

Imagine for a moment what it must have been like for Peter to step out onto the waves in pitch darkness with a storm howling around him.

Ortberg says, “The water is rough. The waves are high. The wind is strong. There’s a storm out there. And if you get out of the boat—whatever your boat might happen to be—there’s a good chance you might sink. But if you don’t get out of the boat, there’s a guaranteed certainty that you will never walk on the water.”

When life gets difficult we all have a tendency to hunker down and take fewer risks. We shift our focus to preventing further loss, guarding what we value, and maintaining the status quo.

But then along comes Jesus at the most inconvenient time and He asks us to take a leap of faith we never expected—especially not right now.

In those moments, we have an opportunity to walk on water but doing so requires stepping outside of our comfort zones. Ortberg says, “Your boat is whatever represents safety and security to you apart from God Himself. Your boat is whatever you are tempted to put your trust in, especially when life gets a little stormy.”

In the biblical story, Peter decides to take the risk. We usually stop just after that when Peter begins to sink and Jesus reaches out his hand to save him. But I’m fascinated by what happens after this. The next verse says, “When they climbed into the boat, the wind died down” (Matthew 14:32).

Have you considered what that verse is saying between the lines? Peter got to walk on the water with Jesus all the way back to the boat! And when they made it, the storm subsided.

Jesus may be asking you to step out of the boat in some area of your life today. You look around you and think, “Not now, Lord! Wait until things settle down!” We’re not sure about walking on water in general, but if we’re going to do it we’d much rather have the lake as smooth as glass and not even a breeze blowing.

But if you dare to take that step of faith despite your fear, it may be the very thing that brings you closer to Jesus, lets you experience more than you ever imagined with Him, and perhaps even leads you to the moment when the storm finally subsides.

 
from Rain on Me: Devotions of Hope and Encouragement for Difficult Times 

Does it feel like Jesus is asking you or someone you care about to take a step of faith with Him? If so, leave a comment and I will pray for you (I'd appreciate your prayers too).

Comments

[jenifriend]

hey holly! i definitely want to put in a prayer request for a dear friend of mine. her husband has recently been deployed, and she is living in a state where she knows no one. she lost sight of faith many years ago when the waters got rough and chose to stay in the boat. now, in a time where she has no one around her, i feel confident God is trying to work His mighty hand on her. if this moment without anyone isn't a calling from Him, i don't know what is! i respect her wishes to not witness her, so please, behind the scenes, say a prayer for my dear friend. that she rekindles her faith with our loving God and steps out of the boat to find she has never really, ever, been alone. :)

[Larie]

But Holleeeeeey, what if I do sink...I can't swim!

smooches,
Larie

[Nancy]

We studied the Walking on water book at my Ladies Bible Class and it was great. Thanks for all you do and I will pray for you.

[Rhonda Alderson]

Hi Holley!
I want to ask for prayer today. I did not step out of the boat,I was pushed :) however, sometimes it takes that to get to where God wants us to be. I have a future of endless opportunities, and God keeps telling me he has a plan for my life, so i am on a new path to what he has now for me. Thank you for all your encouragement you give to everyone. I signed up my home e-mail, so i can still read your blogs. Thank you for your prayers for this new chapter in my life, and i will continue praying for you and for Dayspring to grow, and prosper again.
God Bless You!

[Maria Jones-Davidson]

Holley, Your message of water walking is so beautiful! You are not just a counselor, you are also a true preacher and messenger of God's Word! Would you also pray for my sister Beth and her daughter Myra who live in Philippines. How they need to hear the Gospel and be saved. Beth heard the Word of God when she was young but did now grow in God. Thank you for praying Holley! I will also pray for you that God will always rise up through you and in you and use you to reach out to so many others who need to hear a word of encouragement so that they might all see the light of the Lord & be blessed!

[~Grace & Peace]

Holley,
This is the second blog I visited with the same topic and same reference to Ortberg's book! I take it as a confirmation of what God did to me yesterday.

In a nutshell, He kept me home from work by giving me a 24 hour virus. I then attended a lunch hour lecture by Dr. Chuck Missler. Now, I'm enrolled in the Bronze track to study the bible for the next 36 weeks - and there are quizzes and a final exam.

God has been calling me to be in His word and not just read it but to dig deeper. I don't know what He has planned for me, I'm just along for the ride.

So please pray that I persevere and not stop. I can feel the spiritual war going on already. And also please pray for my husband's salvation. I know he's close to it, the only problem is the enemy keeps blocking him.

Thank you for your faithfulness, Holley. God used you for confirmation.

[saii]

thank you so much for sharing this...

God spoke to my heart. This was part of the answer to a prayer that I made yesterday before going to bed ...

:)

You were His instrument

:)

[Joanne Reese]

Hi Holley,

I would appreciate your prayers - very much. God is calling me to step away from everything that is familiar and comfortable. A couple of days ago, He revealed to me that the time is now. But I tremble... how will I ever be able to say "good-bye?"

Thank you for praying. Your posts bring light and encouragement to my life.

Joanne

[Katie]

Holley I would appreciate your prayers for a friend of mine who is currently walkind down a path of destruction. I know there is another path God is providing for her I am praying in agreement with many of her family members that she get the help she so desperately needs. Just one step towards Him, enough faith to believe He still loves her and things can be different.
Thank you friend for your faithfulness and interest.
You are in my prayers today and always.....