When I awoke this morning, I was remembering a fishing trip long ago, with a friend and his dog. We were sitting out in the lake enjoying the sun and catching a few fish, when Tawny spotted a duck she wanted to visit and decided to step out of the boat.
The result was as inevitable as it was comic. The water wasn’t solid ground, and down she went. By the time we got her back in the boat, both Bruce and I were soaked and had nearly capsized a couple of times.
Whenever I remember that trip, my mind drifts to a familiar passage in the gospel. The one where Jesus walked on the sea, and Peter, too, decided to step out of the boat.
Immediately, he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.
And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear.
But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”
Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:22-23
I’m sure the other disciples ribbed him about that for years. We often talk about the foolishness of Peter panicking when he began to sink.
We forget one important point, Peter actually stepped out of the boat. He had faith, weak faith, but faith nonetheless, and acted on it. Jesus rescued him.
The other disciples didn’t even bother to try. They probably teased Peter for a long time, but I suspect that deep in their hearts, they wished they had been the ones who tried.
Faith that isn’t put to the test isn’t faith; it’s a wish, a vague hope. You’ve got to put into practice the things God has called us to do, exercise your spiritual gifts.
Perhaps you’ll find yourself in over your head, but trust God. Peter didn’t fail; he tried. The other disciples stayed in the boat and didn’t experience God’s rescuing hand.
It’s time, my dear friends. Step out of the boat, walk in the Spirit, and put your faith to the test.
Be blessed
Kevin
