Have you ever felt led to do something, and you ask God if you really should, and you believe he says yes, but then you do it and it doesn’t really turn out like you thought it would?

It reminds me of Peter’s experience when he sees Jesus walking on water, and he wants to do the same thing.

Matthew 14:25-33

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.”

 

Stepping out on the water for me was when I was at someone’s house with a bunch of people, and I wanted to see if anyone had a particular spiritual gift. I felt like the idea came from God, so I put the question out there, and we listened to God for a long time. The room was silent other than the hum of the fan spinning above me. I believe God can give someone a gift, but it didn’t happen. I said, “Well, I just had to try.” And I awkwardly moved on to another topic.

I knew Jesus was with me. I knew he can do amazing things, and he invites us to come and do the same through the Spirit. I tried. And it failed. But the Lord, he is always still there with me. He is there to pull me back up when I am disappointed and honestly a little embarrassed.  

God is good, and he doesn’t have to prove anything. He shows his love every day.  

John 21:7

⁷ Then the disciple whom Jesus loved [John] said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.

My hope is that I will continue to “jump into the water” whenever I discover that my Savior is near (and it would be really cool if I walked on it one of these days!) 

 

Walk, sink or swim, he’s with me and I won’t drown.