Do you have a dream? Are you working on something but fearful of how people will receive it? You’ve put in the hard work to develop and perfect your skill and product. Now, your labor of love simply sits idle. The time is now to muster the courage to walk. You can do it. Take the first step.
The Story: Matthew 14:22-32
In Matthew 14:22-32, Jesus sent the disciples to the other side of the sea by boat. Jesus went to the top of the mountain to pray. While He was there, the winds and the waves beat against the disciples’ boat. Jesus came to them walking on the water. After seeing Him, the disciples were afraid for they thought He was a ghost. Jesus saw their fear and told them to take courage and don’t fear. Peter replied that if it was Jesus, then He should tell him to come. With that, Jesus said, “Come.” So, Peter left the boat and began walking on the water toward Jesus. However, Peter saw the effects of the waves, became frightened, and began to sink. He cried out to Jesus to save him. Immediately, Jesus caught him and asked why did he doubt. They both returned to the boat and the wind calmed.
The Lesson
Peter provides the roadmap to mustering the courage to walk. To begin the journey, we need someone to help us make the first step. As it was with Peter, so it is with us. Jesus is the One bidding us to come. He first pulls at our hearts to come to Him for salvation. Then He calls us into His purpose. Our desire to leave the boat and walk stems from the presence of Jesus and His desire to walk with us.
With the acceptance of the invitation, we must be willing to leave the “comfort” of the boat and the people around us. For a season, the boat was safe and comfortable in comparison to the massive sea around us. The boat also had people we knew and we were all the in same situation. However, the boat nor the people can handle what’s happening around us. A new environment produces new possibilities.
As we place one foot in front of the other, a forward focus is essential. Concentration on what’s ahead ensures that we arrive at our destination. Although there will always be elements to distract us, our gaze forward and upward minimizes falling.
In the event we trip and fall, we can get back up. There’s a hand reaching out to help. However, we must ask for it. Yes, Jesus knows what we stand in need of, but He still wants us to ask, seek, and knock (Matthew 7:7-12).
Most importantly, have faith. Matthew 17:20 says that we don’t need a lot of faith. As an old commercial once said, “a little dab will do ya.” Use your faith to make a step.
Now that we have a roadmap, will we have the courage to walk?
