22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said,“why did you doubt?”
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Matthew 14:22-33-New International Version (NIV)
As September gets closer, emotions about going on World Race are all over the place. One moment I’m filled with excitement and anticipation, the next I’m thinking about all the things I’ll miss at home in the next year and then I’ll be crying thinking of the great things God has in store. For some reason this weekend has been filled to nervousness and doubt—thinking am I good enough? Why me? Having all these insecurities creeping into my thoughts.
I happen to be spending the weekend at a lake house with a really good friend of mine who has been patient with me while I talk through all these thoughts. During one discussion about my fears, my friend stopped me and reminded me of the above story about Peter walking on water. She reminded me that even though he began to sink when he stepped out the water, everyone remembers him for listening to Jesus, getting out of the boat and trying. These words have been so comforting to me—even if I go and completely flop, I will have followed the His calling—I will have stepped out of the boat.
