I’ve always been a risk-taker. I love doing crazy, audacious, and sometimes stupid things. I live for the thrills of life.
The big things, the crazy things, those are the easiest steps for me to take. The easiest yes’s to give. But for some reason, it’s the small things that scare me. The day to day challenges… especially if people I know (or people I know I will have to see again) are watching.
In highschool, I hated it if my mom didn’t pick me up immediately after school. I was terrified to simply sit outside and wait for her. Not because I was afraid someone was going to snatch me away, but because I was afraid of being seen by people. I was afraid of what someone would think if they saw a 17 year old girl waiting for her mommy to come pick her up.
Nowadays, I still get terrified if I have to sit or stand and wait for someone to get me, though now it’s more-so because I am scared of having to have a conversation with someone, anyone… but I digress.
The smallest things would throw me into a tailspin of fear and insecurity.
Maybe you can relate.
It takes me to a story that Matthew recounted about one of Jesus’ other disciples, Peter. Jesus sends his disciples along in the boat, and He comes along later just prancing and walking on the water. You know. No big deal. They see Him and think He’s a ghost. When Jesus tells them not to be afraid because it’s Him, Peter daringly says “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” A pretty risky move on his part. Of course, Jesus says “come on, bro” (that’s just how I hear Jesus talking to His friends).
Now at this point in the story, if you’ve heard it before, most people like to point out the fact that after Peter stepped out, he lost focus on Jesus and began to sink in the water. But can we please just take a moment here and appreciate the fact that Peter got out of the boat to begin with!
I mean, seriously. We should celebrate with Peter that he trusted enough to take a step out of the boat that night. Poor Pete gets a bad rap for something that, let’s be honest, we all would have done and probably do now on a consistent basis.
My question to you is do YOU trust Him enough to get out of whatever boat you’re currently in? Do you trust Him enough to step towards Him and His purpose for you or for your ministry?And do I trust Him enough?
Here’s the thing, friend. The great news. His mercy is new everyday. We don’t have to have enough faith to finish the race before we can begin. We just have to have enough faith to take the first step. Just trust Him right now in this moment and take one step out of the boat. Once we step out, then regroup, refocus, recharge, until you have enough grit and trust to take another step… and then another… and then another.
We don’t have to have it all figured out. We just have to trust Him more than we fear failure and take that first step.
So how ‘bout it, sister? Let’s get out of our comfort zones in the boat and take just one step toward the unknown. He’s waiting for us there.