Matthew 14

“‘Come!’ He said. And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid. And beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out His hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those in the boat worshiped Him and said, ‘Truly You are the Son of God!’” Matthew 14:29-33 (HCSB)

It’s May 8, 1990. I’m sitting in my ’75 Corvette, listening to a sermon on a cassette titled: “The Crisis of Decision.” If I turned right, I would go home to a lucrative summer job under the blessing of a full-ride track scholarship; turn left, and I would follow the Lord’s call on my life into the uncertain world of the music business.

I turned left. I stepped out of the boat, so to speak. Just like that, I made a step of faith. It didn’t hurt at all; as a matter of fact, it felt kind of warm and fuzzy.

Three months later, things weren’t looking so good. I didn’t have any money or apparently enough REM sleep to make my Rock & Roll dreams come true. I panicked and started doubting if I had indeed heard from God. I began making decisions without seeking the Lord, trying to get back to the smooth college life I had so cavalierly abandoned. I was sinking fast, and everyone around me was watching.

Whenever you choose to follow the Lord, there’s always a boatload of onlookers. You’ve got to hand it to Peter; he had enough faith to step out while the others were hugging life jackets! He took a few steps, but like the rest of us can do, Peter took his focus off Jesus and began sinking. I like Jesus’ response, reaching out His hand and adding, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

In chapter 8, Jesus rebuked His disciples for waking Him during a storm while on a boat. It seems Peter attained some faith from that lesson because this time, Peter braved his fears and stepped out of the boat amid the storm. The moment Peter called out to Jesus, He gave support. Interestingly, the wind and waves didn’t cease until they got back in the boat.

Have you stepped out in faith, only to find yourself weaker than you hoped? Call out to Jesus, and He will support you. The storm may not stop automatically, but He will deliver you safely back to the boat. When you arrive back safely, just know everyone in the boat will worship the Lord with you, encouraged by 1) how the Lord called & supported you and 2) how your faithful response to His call led to a blessed ending. Then, the next time He beckons you out onto the water, perhaps, you’ll have a few others stepping out with you!