“Am I over thinking this or are all of these valid points that should be explored?”
My husband has heard me ask this more times than he would probably like over the years, but, I can’t help it. I’m detailed oriented. I’m a list maker. I’m a pro’s and con’s gal. A “what if” thinker. I must explore all of the scenarios of a decision before moving forward. I can’t help myself. But, I wish sometimes that I could.
I am in the midst of some decision making right now, like, some big decisions. It’s important that I run down all of these details, right? What if I mis-step? What if I get ahead of God?
I’ve got to step out of the boat. I know it’s coming.
What about you? What are you contemplating…what are you seeing come from a distance…that will require you to step out in faith?
*A new job opportunity
*A goal set to get out of debt
*Starting up a new business venture
*Re-dedication or renewal to your marriage
*Turning away from an addiction?
*Walking away from a toxic person or relationship
*Committing to mentor someone
What is it for you?
“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!”
Matthew 14:28-30
Here’s what I’m learning in this stage of my life…sometimes you just have to jump!
Think about Peter in that boat. In the dark. He sees Jesus. He asks Him to just confirm that he’s not seeing things and that it really is Jesus ON the water. Jesus says “Come” and out of the boat Peter went!
Peter didn’t make a list of pro’s and cons. Peter didn’t ask his friends in the boat if they thought it was a good idea. Peter didn’t ask Jesus about the forecast. He just went for it.
In that moment Peter had faith.
Fast forward a few moments later and Peter had doubts.
The Bible says that he saw the wind and became afraid. If he saw the wind, that meant he wasn’t looking into Jesus’ face. He averted his eyes. He let himself become distracted and the thing that was a distraction he saw a saw as a threat to his well being.
He immediately began to sink.
Now, I am in no way saying that there aren’t times to make lists and seek wise counsel. Times to pray and wait. Times to weigh it all out.
But, if we see Jesus in front of us with his hand outstretched telling us to “Come”…we best go. And we best keep laser focused on His face. And we better show a little self control when we begin to hear the wind with our ears and see the effects of that wind with our pereferial vision.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew 6:33
This is so simple and yet I can be so bad at it. When we seek something out we are scanning, listening and moving in a forward motion. The bible tells us right here in Matthew that if we keep Him, His character, His spirit, His purposes, if we keep this first, these other things on our lists will be given to us. Not handed over in a box with a pretty bow on it, but the things on our lists will be taken care of just as they should.
“in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:6
Here it is again in Proverbs. Although sometimes we don’t like the word “submit”, this is actually where freedom lies. In submitting to Him, we are handing over that thing that we think He may be calling us to do, we are handing our lists, our pros and cons and the opinions we retrieved from others, and trusting that if we are indeed following Him, He will take care of any consequences headed our way. Any bumps in the road. Any distractions or road blocks. In submitting to Him, we are freely handing Him our doubts and worries and He is making our paths straight.
There’s a decision to be made or a change is coming and it’s got you all nervous, anxious, mind-blown, wrecked with worry, head spinning with “what if’s?” and crumbled lists in the waste basket.
Take a breath. If He is telling you to “Come”, then go.
What an adventurous moment that must have been for Peter. He walked on top of the water!! I can’t even wrap my mind around that!
An adventure awaits you and me. I’ve about made a decision I’ve been putting off. I don’t know exactly how it will effect my husband, my children, my calendar, my chores, my friendships, my bank account, my sleep, my who knows what! I’m nervous, I’ve got crumbled lists and I’ve about talked the ears off of my husband.
I’m about to exit the boat I’ve been in where there is security and predictability.
I’m choosing to stay focused on the One who is calling me out…at least for today. Would you like to go too?
If you continue to read on about Peter you’ll see that when he began to sink, Jesus reached down immediately to rescue him.
If we begin to doubt, He will help us to re-focus, but we may wind up missing out on the rest of the adventure.
I’d love to hear from you. What is He calling you out to do? Do you sense Him saying “come”?
He will lead and He will rescue you in your weak moments.
Reflect and Respond:
**What is it that came to mind as you read this? Where does your faith jump lead?
**What step do you need to take today? Continue to pray…or jump?
Simple Faith 