“To sinful patters of behavior that never get confronted and changed
Abilities and gifts that never get cultivated and deployed —
Until weeks become months
And months turn to years,
And one day, you’re looking back on a life of
Deep intimate gut-wrenching honest conversations you never had;
Great bold prayers you never prayed,
Exhilerating risks you never took,
Sacrificial gifts you never offered
Lives you never touched,
And you’re sitting in a recliner with a shriveled soul,
And forgotten dreams,
And you realize there was a world of desperate need,
And a great God calling you to be a part of something bigger than yourself —
You see the person you could have become but did not;
You never followed your calling
You never got out of the boat.”
–Gregg Levoy as quoted by John Ortberg, If You Want To Walk On Water, You’ve Got To Get Out Of The Boat pg 34-35
This quote was part of a lesson at my Bible Study recently and it’s certainly got me thinking. I’ve
never read this book, but I certainly have a desire to now. I refuse to
live my life in such a way that when I’m old I will look back on it and
regret the things I didn’t do. I want to live radically for Christ
everyday.
never read this book, but I certainly have a desire to now. I refuse to
live my life in such a way that when I’m old I will look back on it and
regret the things I didn’t do. I want to live radically for Christ
everyday.
Sometimes I feel like Peter stepping out of the boat to walk on water towards Jesus. All the disciples were watching and must have thought he
had lost his mind!!! I mean, ok, so Jesus was walking on water. As if
that wasn’t crazy enough, now Peter thinks he can too?! I feel that way
with the World Race. People must think that I’m crazy! In fact, some
have told me so! Why this trip? Why now? Why 11 months? Why not
something easier and less dramatic and something cheaper and shorter?
Well, let’s recap a little on Peter and this incredible life experience had and compare it to my own meager life. (If you would like to read the actual scripture instead of my own worded story version, you can find it in Matthew 14:22-33)
had lost his mind!!! I mean, ok, so Jesus was walking on water. As if
that wasn’t crazy enough, now Peter thinks he can too?! I feel that way
with the World Race. People must think that I’m crazy! In fact, some
have told me so! Why this trip? Why now? Why 11 months? Why not
something easier and less dramatic and something cheaper and shorter?
Well, let’s recap a little on Peter and this incredible life experience had and compare it to my own meager life. (If you would like to read the actual scripture instead of my own worded story version, you can find it in Matthew 14:22-33)
Peter: On a boat, in the midst of a storm, Jesus is walking (ON WATER!!) towards the disciples.
Megan: In the midst of life’s storms, Jesus is always coming to my rescue.
Peter: Peter asks Jesus to call him. To test his faith. To do something amazing in his life.
Megan: I came to a point in my life where I said, Jesus, I want to
live for You. I want to put ALL my faith in You. So Jesus, call me, to
whatever it is you would have for my life.
live for You. I want to put ALL my faith in You. So Jesus, call me, to
whatever it is you would have for my life.
Peter: Jesus says, “Come” One word. And Peter was faced with an
HUGE test of faith. Walk on water. Step out of your comfort zone (the
boat) and trust Me.
HUGE test of faith. Walk on water. Step out of your comfort zone (the
boat) and trust Me.
Megan: Jesus said come to Me by going on a mission trip. THIS
mission trip. Take a HUGE step of faith. Do something radical. Trust ME.
mission trip. Take a HUGE step of faith. Do something radical. Trust ME.
Peter: He stepped out in faith. He trusted Jesus. He walked on water towards Christ.
Megan: Well, here I am. I’ve stepped out in faith that this is where Christ wants me and what He wants to do with my life.
Peter: He doubted and felt himself sinking, and cried out to Jesus. And Jesus was there.
Megan: I doubt all the time!! I have LOTS of fears and doubts
about this trip. I have no idea how to raise all this support. Or how
I’m going to be gone for 11 months. In my fear and doubt, I cry out to
Christ! And NO MATTER WHAT, CHRIST IS THERE.He told me to come to Him. He’s certainly not going to let me sink!
about this trip. I have no idea how to raise all this support. Or how
I’m going to be gone for 11 months. In my fear and doubt, I cry out to
Christ! And NO MATTER WHAT, CHRIST IS THERE.He told me to come to Him. He’s certainly not going to let me sink!
Peter: This radical experience in Peter’s life served 2 purposes. To
challenge and improve his own faith in Christ and also to help others
along in their faith. By witnessing this awesome awesome miracle and the display of faith that Peter showed, the other disciples reaffirmed their belief that Jesus was the Son of God.
challenge and improve his own faith in Christ and also to help others
along in their faith. By witnessing this awesome awesome miracle and the display of faith that Peter showed, the other disciples reaffirmed their belief that Jesus was the Son of God.
Megan: That is exactly what the World Race is going to
do. It will not only challenge and strengthen my own walk with Christ,
the goal is to bring others to a saving knowledge of Jesus!!!
do. It will not only challenge and strengthen my own walk with Christ,
the goal is to bring others to a saving knowledge of Jesus!!!
Now, I am certainly no Peter. I’m not attempting to walk on water
without even hesitating. I’ve had months of prayer and discernement and
questions, followed by months of preparation and I’m still praying and
asking questions and doubting. But my doubts are not in Christ. My
doubts are in my own abilities. My own weaknesses and failures. Christ
is perfect in my doubt. He is perfect in my imperfection. He is steady
and strong. He will pick me up when I feel like I’m sinking. And I’m
sure He’ll ask me, as He asked Peter, “Why are you doubting Me?”
without even hesitating. I’ve had months of prayer and discernement and
questions, followed by months of preparation and I’m still praying and
asking questions and doubting. But my doubts are not in Christ. My
doubts are in my own abilities. My own weaknesses and failures. Christ
is perfect in my doubt. He is perfect in my imperfection. He is steady
and strong. He will pick me up when I feel like I’m sinking. And I’m
sure He’ll ask me, as He asked Peter, “Why are you doubting Me?”
So, here I am. I am getting out of my boat. Out of this comfort
zone I call life. I am going to walk towards Christ and follow His
calling for my life.
zone I call life. I am going to walk towards Christ and follow His
calling for my life.
