The Lord has been talking to me a lot about obedience lately. So when a squad mate suggested that we each write a blog about obedience, I was kinda stoked. What has been getting me lately has been the story of Jesus walking on water…but more than that, Peter walking on water.
I am not saying that it is more impressive for Peter to have walked on water than Jesus himself. I am just undone by his unquestioning obedience. This is the passage, for those who are not familiar:
“Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I! Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on water and came towards Jesus.
Whoa. Yes the story ends with Peter looking at the surroundings, letting fear fill him and sinking, but this is still a huge deal. Jesus simply said, “Come,” and Peter stepped out of the boat onto the water that was, according to the story, “already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.” Jesus didn’t have to say, “Come and I won’t let you sink. I will silence the wind and hold your feet as you step so you surely won’t fall.” or anything else to bring Peter to the conclusion that it was safe. He simply said, “Come.”
How many times does Jesus whisper in our ear something as simple as, “See that girl at the counter over there? She needs encouragement. Go encourage her,” or anything else simple like that only to get a response similar to this: “Are you sure? What if the word I’m hearing is wrong? What if she thinks I’m a raving lunatic? What if..?” I don’t know about you, but so many times in my life I find it easier to question than to simply obey.
However, I have noticed that each time I obey I am pleasantly surprised at how God has planned each detail perfectly. We can only see in part. Sometimes that is scary, but he sees it all. It is so much easier to make a game plan when you can see the end and the beginning. We know these things yet when he says come we still have a million questions or a million reasons to stay in the boat.
Peter so fully trusted Jesus that he came. No questions asked. “Yes, Lord.” I want to be a “Yes, Lord kind of lover.” A lover of Jesus who lays it all down without the why, what if, or any of the other questions that seem to flood as soon as he gives me an assignment.
I am learning that obedience is the currency of heaven. I am a daughter of the King, and my dwelling place is with him in heaven. I am on a journey of deeper trust, and deeper trust will always lead to deeper levels of obedience. I want to be a laid down lover of Jesus who comes to him, hears his words, and puts them into practice. My life is his no matter what it looks like. I will walk in ardent obedience because I trust that he can see the whole picture and has my best interest at heart.
