by Shannon Garrison

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As we grow in our walk with God, we begin to live in the reality of His character and nature. The more we know Him, the more we understand how trustworthy He is as a loving Father. This revelation compels us to live with courage and bold faith. The truth is, if we desire to go deeper with God, we must put our faith into practice. As a result, God will often push us beyond our comfort zone, calling us to take a significant step of faith into unfamiliar territory.

Consider Peter’s experience as he saw Jesus walking on water while he sat in a storm-tossed boat:

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter stepped out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:28–31, NIV)

The interesting part of this story is that before Jesus asked Peter to come out of the boat, Peter asked Jesus to call him out. What a bold move!

Take note: when you walk closely with Jesus, your confidence and trust grow, and you begin to step out in faith more boldly than ever before.

But let us not forget that as Peter walked on the water, he began to doubt. He focused on his limitations and the obstacles he faced, realizing the task was impossible for him to complete. When he removed his gaze from Jesus and fixed it elsewhere, he began to sink. Then Jesus asked Peter why he struggled to believe he could do what Jesus had asked him to do.

There is something to learn from Peter’s struggle.

God always calls his children to something greater—an assignment that is bigger than we are. When we realize what God is asking us to do, we come face-to-face with our inability to accomplish it in our own strength. As we look at ourselves in the mirror, we see how small and insignificant we really are. Yet in this very moment, we have the opportunity to say “yes” to God in faith and step out of the boat, or we choose to run away in fear.

When we recognize our lack and remain in the boat, we partner with the enemy, whose goal is to diminish God’s power in our lives. Satan will always remind us that we do not measure up. His aim is to make our desire for comfort and our fear of failure more significant than God’s ability to be made strong in our weakness. Therefore, we must embrace God’s truth:

But He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me. So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength]. (2 Corinthians 12:9–10, AMP)

What happens when we give our weakness to God? He takes it and fashions it into something powerful for His kingdom, doing for us what we cannot do in our own strength. Consequently, our “yes” to Him becomes the conduit through which His power works in us and through us, bringing glory to His name.

Peter gave his weakness to Jesus and stepped out of the boat in faith. However, he quickly refocused his attention on his obstacles, felt insignificant by comparison, and succumbed to doubt.

Friend, I challenge you to be like Peter, who spoke boldly in faith and courageously stepped out of the boat in response to Jesus. In faith, refuse to take your eyes off the One who commands the wind and the waves to be still. Whatever He asks you to do, He will see it through if you give Him your “yes” and keep your eyes fixed on Him. Jesus will keep you steady with each step of faith you take.

Do you sense the need to step out of the boat in your own life? Perhaps you are hesitant because of fear. Would you be willing to pray boldly in faith, “Jesus, call me out of the boat to walk on the water with you”? Get ready, because when He speaks, your ability to do what He has commanded will not be measured by your human capabilities; it will be measured by His ability and your “yes.” You can trust Him.