Short & Sweet: Water-Walker

Peter asked Jesus to help him do the impossible.

Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.

27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

Matthew 14: 25-33

Peter had every reason to stay in the boat.

Any sane person would advise him to stay put. It didn’t make sense to get out of the boat.

It was night time.

He was tired.

He had already worked a full day.

Plus it was windy and wavy. Peter was a boat-rider and a fisherman not a water-walker. Water-walking was simply not his gifting—he didn’t have the skill set or the experience to be a water-walker. No one in his family was a water-walker for good reason, it was impossible. As a matter of fact, Peter didn’t know a single water-walker or anyone who had even attempted this before.

Peter, had every reason to stay in the boat accept one-Jesus called him out.

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I get Peter.

When I was about 7 or 8, my mother decided it was time for me to learn to swim. Encased in a bright pink hair-ripping rubber bathing cap (thing of the past, thankfully) and one-piece swimsuit, I entered the guppy class at the local YMCA. Floating is easy the instructor assured me. (Note: due to my Irish heritage [the Hunger Years] I only weighed about 30 lbs wet with a pocket full of quarters. I had not a single fat cell on my entire body). This girl did not float. She sank. Always. Straight to the bottom. I NEVER passed the guppy class. For me, water-walking was impossible. I couldn’t even swim. I needed to stay in the boat.

I’ve prayed like Peter.

Longingly and sincerely, I have asked, “Lord, use me greatly,” only to thrash and flail when He called me out of my boat. Walking turns to treading turns to sinking as I get my eyes off Jesus and onto the waves of opposition. Water-walking requires a greater level of faith than simple earth-walking. Walking by faith not by sight takes on a whole new meaning when on wavy water.

But God tells us all things are possible through Christ Jesus.

Even water-walking. What happened when Peter begins to sink? Jesus is right there with him reaching, lifting and saving. He will do the same for you.

Read the verses again. Did you notice when the wind quit? The Bible makes a point to tell us the wind ceased after Peter and Jesus got in the boat. Meditate on that for a moment.

Peter the water-walker went on to be Peter the church- builder.

And Jesus is calling you. Come, walk by faith. Water-walker. Bridge-builder. Giant-slayer. Business-starter. Church-planter. Bible-teacher. Website-blogger. College-enroller. He’s calling you. You have every reason to stay in the boat. People will tell you no one has done this before. It’s too risky, too late, too expensive, or too illogical. It’s outside of your gifting.

Cover it in prayer and fasting. And if Jesus is calling, get out of the boat. Walk by faith water-walker.

Action Points:

Pray like Peter. Faith stretching water-walking prayers. Ask God to give you His dream for your life.
Act like Peter. Get out of the boat. Take a step of faith—even if you sink. He’ll catch you. What do you need to do today to start walking out your faith and calling?
Cry like Peter. If you begin to drown in fear, call out to Jesus with all your heart. He is with you. He’ll help you and strengthen you.

Life is Sweet! Walk on water.