Get out of the boat
“And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.”Matthew 14:29
Reflection
It was early morning, the wind was contrary, and the disciples were rowing exhausted when they saw a figure walking on the sea — and they cried out in fear, thinking it was a ghost. Jesus’ answer cut through the storm: "be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid". And then Peter made the boldest request in the gospels: "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water". He did not ask for the storm to stop. He asked to walk IN it, if Jesus commanded.
The word "come" is the shortest and most frightening invitation in the Bible. And here is the detail that separates Peter from the other eleven: ALL were in the same boat, saw the same Jesus, heard the same voice — but only one swung his leg over the side. Eleven stayed in the wet safety of the boat; one walked on the sea. Peter is remembered to this day for the steps (and even for the sinking) — of those who stayed seated, no story is told. The boat is comfortable, but the miracle of walking on water only happens outside it.
Yes, Peter sank — and the way he sank teaches as much as the steps. He walked while he looked at Jesus and began to go down when "he saw the wind boisterous". The wind was already there before; what changed was the focus. And notice the speed of the rescue: "IMMEDIATELY Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him". There was no long sermon, no "I told you so" — there was a hand extended at once, and a question asked in safety: "wherefore didst thou doubt?". Whoever leaves the boat at Jesus’ call may even sink a little — but never sinks alone, nor to the bottom.
What is the "boat" God is calling you out of? The professional comfort zone, the silence of someone who never shared their faith, the project postponed for years, the difficult conversation, the ministry you feel called to and keep delaying? The boat has a dangerous charm: in it you never sink — but in it you also never walk on water. The honest question is not "what if I sink?" (His hand is one cry away). The question is: "what if I die seated in the boat, without ever having tried to go to Him?". The wind is still strong. The voice still says: "come".
Prayer
Lord, I hear Your "come" — and I confess the boat is comfortable. Give me Peter’s boldness to swing my leg over the side, the focus to look at You and not at the wind, and the confidence that, if I sink, Your hand catches me immediately. I am coming. Amen.
Put it into practice
Name your "boat" (the safe zone God calls you out of) and take ONE step outside it this week — a concrete step, with a date.
To reflect on
Ten years from now, which will hurt more: the memory of having sunk while trying — or of never having left the boat?
Bible text: King James Version (public domain).