Inside of the safety net of your sheltered life, you learn to step over or tip-toe around as many obstacles as possible.
Not wanting to offend, you don’t take a turn in speech or interjection. You meekly stand by waiting for direction instead of taking initiative.
The waters look rough and tempting to take on the waves is just too daunting a task. You already feel like you’re drowning before you launch from the dock.
You wonder:
Will I be able to steer this vessel?
What if a storm rolls in, who will guide me through the turbulence?
Whom will direct my bearings?
I cannot do this, so maybe I should sit out.
As you think through these things, the obstacle that you fail to seek out is the inevitable need to get out of the boat. The fear of getting your feet wet is much too overwhelming and if there are bigger, smarter or more determined minds around, you feel you can deflect to them.
But what if the bigger or smarter minds are not being called to the water’s edge? What if, in your meekness, the Lord has a perfect mission just for you? Is your fear going to hold you back from the commission that laps at your sandals that you are fretting over getting a little bit wet?
Be like Peter. Take the first step. Get out of the boat.
Matthew 14: 29-31
“Come,” said Jesus.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”
Peter didn’t sink because he lost faith in Jesus. Perhaps he started to go under because he thought Jesus lost faith in him. But the most profound part, Peter got out of the boat. How many times have we stood by teetering on the thought of stepping out but lose the faith in our own capabilities to trust the Lord’s provision?
I want to be like Peter. Stepping out, I want to trust in Jesus’ love and faithfulness in us to make it across that water.
How many times have we stood by teetering on the thought of stepping out but lose the faith in our own capabilities to trust the Lord's provision? Click To TweetGet out of the boat.
Don’t let people say that you are too simple or too meek to accomplish the Lord’s will.
Let us turn to Jesus and keep our eyes on Him as we walk across that water. He will carry us if the need be, because He loves us, and will provide what we need to make it across.
Dear Maryann,
Oh this fits in so well with my oneword for this year of “sufficient.” He keeps teaching me more about holding onto His sufficiency, and giving Him all my weaknesses. There really is no way that I could step out of the boat, but yet He still calls us to come, doesn’t He? He knows we are weak, and simple and meek. But He does give us His strength, doesn’t He? Thanks for these encouraging words!
“Turn” was a good FMF prompt, wasn’t it? I like where you took it!
Thanks! I do enjoy these prompts and what the Lord lays on my heart with them 🙂
Thanks for this encouragement! Stepping out in faith is the kind of challenge I need to accept daily. Tweeted my favorite quote! 🙂
I love the idea you discuss in the post. We do need to rid ourselves of the bad “selfs” – self absorption, being self-centered, selfishness, but the good “selfs” like self-confidence to do what is right is different.
Thank you for this encouraging post! Definitely face these fears sometimes, and this is a great reminder to just step out in faith.
Great post and very encouraging. I can certainly relate. There have been too many ocassions where I let fear and its helpers win. Thanks for sharing!!
Yes! I just wrote about this yesterday(although in a different context) in http://lifelivedintentionally.com/power-posing-away-the-fear/
At least I wrote about this fear that inhibits us from speaking just like you said at the beginning.. from offending. So often I’ve been afraid of not being like the others.. but like you said – What if, in your meekness, the Lord has a perfect mission just for you? –
This line stood out to me.
Great post 🙂
Your post was quite inspiring and right where I am at as well. I love how God brings people together to build one another up. Thank you for your encouraging words.
Great word! I will admit that I have stood by many times and squelched the Holy Spirit because I was afraid of man’s opinions. There has been a total mind shift since losing our son; what can man do to me? Ultimately, we answer to our Creator.
I so appreciate your post, Maryann.
Thank you.
Oh, thank you for this post! I love the thought of having the courage to take the first step, even though I feel meek and simple. Such a beautifully worded post that I’ll be sharing with others on my blog at downaspenlane.com. Thank you!
Thank you so much for your encouraging words! I have been thinking through this topic a lot lately, especially when the self-doubt creeps in. I am so glad that we have a community that can build each other up. Thanks for stopping by.