…Peter…walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw
that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid… —Matthew 14:29-30
{CHAMBERS} “The
wind really was boisterous and the waves really were high, but Peter didn’t see
them at first. He didn’t consider them at all; he simply recognized his Lord,
stepped out in recognition of Him, and “walked on the water.” Then he began to
take those things around him into account, and instantly, down he went. […] We
step right out with recognition of God in some things, then self-consideration
enters our lives and down we go. If you are truly recognizing your Lord, you
have no business being concerned about how and where He engineers your
circumstances. The things surrounding you are real, but when you look at them
you are immediately overwhelmed, and even unable to recognize Jesus. Then comes
His rebuke, “…why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). […] If you debate for even
one second when God has spoken, it is all over for you. Never start to say,
“Well, I wonder if He really did speak to me?” Be reckless immediately— totally
unrestrained and willing to risk everything— by casting your all upon Him. […]
It is only through abandonment of yourself and your circumstances that you will
recognize Him. You will only recognize His voice more clearly through
recklessness— being willing to risk your all.”
{ELGIN}
Faith can cause you to do crazy things, at least as far as the world is
concerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14) “The
natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are
folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are
spiritually discerned.” God has challenged us to “walk on the water” on a
number of occasions.
The first was when
He told me to leave the Army with over 17 years of very successful service. A good friend told me “the Army will not let
you out” since I was a career officer with an obligation and a bright
future. I told him – “If God wants me out,
I’ll be out” and 90 days later, I was on the street having exchanged my flight
suit for a business suit.
After God had called
us to the mission field I happened to see an old boss – I told him what I was
doing – he asked if I had retired from working as a civilian with the Air Force
– I said no, I had left to serve God on the mission field – he looked at me in
disbelief – I had abandoned everything that he held dear … money - security - possessions - comfort
When we were leaving
disaster relief work in Mississippi to open another chapter in our missional
journey, as friend asked me what we were going to do – I replied – “We are
going to Haiti” He drew up close to me,
looked me square in the eyes and asked “Are you crazy?” to which I replied – “It’s
not my idea, it’s God’s!”
The most recent was
when we realized that God was calling out of the boat once again to go on
mission. I had been working with the Air Force once again as an IT Systems
Engineer. God called us to Texas. A good friend of mine asked me to meet for
coffee. He told me that now was not the
time to “get out of the boat”. There were considerations that I was apparently ignoring. Like the
disciples could have told Peter … wait for the waves to calm if you are going
to do it! But when God says “GO!” you
must go. That is part of trusting
God. It’s as if people think – “If God
called you – He must not have thought about all of the issues going on” It is a telling of what they trust in. Many Christians have a qualified trust in
God. If Peter had, he never would have
climbed out of the boat. If we had we
never would have left worldly success to obey God’s call.
Please .. do not
think that I am boasting about our great faith .. I say our because Martie has
been in agreement and has been willing on every turn in the course of our
lives. (1 Corinthians 1:30-31) “And because of him you are in Christ Jesus,
who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and
redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the
Lord.”” Perhaps it’s time for you to get
your feet wet. If it is – look to Jesus
for the strength to do what He asks you to do.
(Zechariah 4:6) “Then he said to me,
“This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by
my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”
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