Steps of Faith

So, Jesus is keeping me up late tonight. Sometimes He does that, but its never without a very good reason. =)
The source of this post is Matthew 14:28-32 and Romans 8:28.
Matthew 14:28-32
"Lord, if it's you,' Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water.'
'Come,' Jesus replied. Then Peter got down 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?' And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down."
This of course led me to ask God, "How many times do you ask me to follow You out on that water?" "And what does that kind of request look like from You?- how do I identify such a big 'walk on water' step of faith?"- the answer seems obvious- its whatever pushes us out of our comfortable -*insert part of life here*- and asks us to lean solely on Christ. Now to the topic weighing most heavily on my heart.
I am mainly concerned with the topic of fear, doubt and how to prevent it and if necessary- which it usually is- how to find my way back to trusting only Jesus. While I am willing to follow the Lord out on the water, just as Peter was, how many times does my fear hold me back in the boat? Or what about when I begin to take those first few steps out on the waves, but I let that all too familiar cloud of doubt come and overshadow "this little light of mine" (a reference for all you Sunday schoolers out there) as I begin to sink into the ever deep pool of complacency that continually threatens to force me to swim back to the boat?
What I feel God showing me is that, if we keep our eyes continually on Jesus, the focus of our mind and our heart will be directed entirely on Him. While, at the same time, by keeping "eye contact" with Jesus- the protector, Savior and creator of our very lives, we will never even notice or worry about the problems and situations that only threaten us, cause us to worry and pull our attention, along with our trust away from Jesus. Which, of course, consistently leaves us struggling amongst the waves of hardship that could of been avoided in the first place. (by keeping Jesus at the center of our mind and trusting that the Ultimate Rescuer will come to our aid- if ever that time should arise.) Many times though, this fear and worry alone causes us to never even get out of the boat of security and walk out on the waters that lead us to Jesus' heart.
In Romans 8:28 Paul states, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Consistently throughout the Bible, God reminds us over and over again that He will not let His purposes nor His people be thwarted ( yes I just said "thwarted.") =) In the very story of Jesus' birth, He protects Jesus-and probably the wise men as well- from Herod by sending them a dream and therefore preventing some impending doom. Then later in Acts 12, Peter is put in prison and God, with His mighty purposes, wakes Peter up, releases him from his bondage (as if he was bound by thread)and gives him a heavenly escort right past the first and then then second guards, smack into the middle of the city, all within enough time to rouse the praying saints to lead him out of the city gates and deliver him to safety from Herod. These are just two examples of many times God has worked good for those who love Him way back in Biblical times; but ironically God isnt saying in Romans 8:28 that God "worked good" or "thought about working good" NO, He clearly states that He "works good" - that means RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW, HE IS WORKING GOOD!- whether we see it or not! I know Peter certainly did not see God working while he was asleep, and the saints after him didnt and the many others experiencing God's protective power even as I write this post. But they all trusted that God is working good for those who love Him and have been called to His purposes. And if you love God, He is calling you to His purposes.- He tends to work that way. =)
And for those- like myself- who have to find their way back to trusting Jesus, time and time again, from my own personal experience, I have one word of encouragement for you, Grace. Jesus didnt die on that cross to leave us the way we are, but through His grace, He can and will change you; yet only if you let Him. It is at times like these- when we are desperate for God to change us, if we ask we shall receive, and if we knock -He will always open up for us. =)
So I guess to wrap up this post, how is God asking you to get out of that boat of security, all the while keeping your focus on Him instead of the things of this world, and walk on those waves of uncertainty to where Jesus is leading you?
As the words to the popular hymn state, "On Christ the SOLID ROCK I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND."
Jesus will provide the firm foundation- but if you want to walk on water- you HAVE to get out of that boat. The first step is always the hardest, yet when you hear your precious Savior calling, you have to make a decision- is your life going to be about Him- or is it going to be about feeding into your comforts and your fears?
-I hope this encouraged some of ya'll out there. =)

Forget swimming lessons- I'm walking on that water,
Kate


**There is a book out by a popular Christian author, John Ortberg, entitled "If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat." Interestingly enough, I have never read this book- though I own it, it covers in much more detail what God has been placed on my heart in this blog.- So if this is something God is placing on your heart as well- this book would be a great place to continue reading. =)