“Peter stepped out of the boat onto the water and began walking toward Jesus. But when he remembered how strong the wind was, his courage caught in his throat and he began to sink.
Peter: Master, save me!
Immediately Jesus reached for Peter and caught him.
Jesus: O you of little faith. Why did you doubt and dance back and forth between following me and heeding fear?
Then Jesus and Peter climbed in the boat together, and the wind became still. And the disciples worshipped Him…”
Matthew 14:29-32 (The Voice)
How often has courage gotten caught in your throat just before you make that move that you know that you’re supposed to make? Hmmm?
Whether it’s leaving your job to start your own business, entering into a new relationship, leaving an old relationship, moving to a new city, meeting a whole lot of new people, pitching a product to unsure buyers, buying a car, or just navigating your way through the day – all of us require faith and courage to live.
My life has been a series of exciting adventures all requiring a degree of “crazy courage” and it’s not always been easy, but it has most definitely been worth it.
About three years ago, during a youth leaders meeting, a dear friend of mine approached me saying that she felt strongly that God was asking me to “take courage” for the next part of my journey. I couldn’t understand what she meant; I was already trusting God every single step of my journey, and I had gotten to a point in faith where I was able to trust for seemingly crazy things as well as give up a lot of stuff if I felt that that was what the Holy Spirit was asking me. It turned out that she wasn’t the only person who had heard that same word for me, because about three other friends came to me to tell me the same thing over the course of the next month. Anyway, I asked God for a little direction and understanding, and then forgot about it.
The next April, I found myself sitting with my pastors (parents) in the lounge telling them that I felt that it was time for me to finally move – and I felt that I wanted to move to Cape Town to serve under my grandparents’ ministry before they retire. My parents didn’t have to pray about it (something they would normally do), they just said, “Yes, we think it’s the right time…”
And so, I prepared to move to Cape Town by the end of that year.
It’s been a year and 16 days since I made my move and it’s been the greatest journey.
Seeing God come through for me in the most insane ways ever, I’ve also met and made the best friends I ever have in my whole life.
Close to the end of last year, I was given an opportunity to use my gifting, calling and decided vocation at a scale that was far bigger than I ever have before. I am a singer-songwriter, producer and basically all-round musician. I’ve been so for the last seven years and I have given nearly everything and every effort in my life towards the dream of touching people with my music. However, I just wasn’t seeing the same “success” as my colleagues and there were many, many times where it was downright frustrating, and nearly depressing. During that time of “hiddenness” where I just wasn’t seen, I ended up pulling up my socks and asking God to develop my identity as an artist and as his child. My faith grew strong in the company of people who loved me enough to always tell me the truth.
That season of protected growth was over now and in October, I knew and saw Jesus calling me out of the boat once again with that opportunity. Just like Peter, the “getting out” was easy for me. I was getting out and walking on the water like nothing mattered … that was until things started to get wavy. This was unprotected growth, and I found myself groping in the air hoping to find a rail, safety jacket… something to help me. I felt the courage getting caught in my throat, and I felt myself sinking.
In the middle of the rush of the new and scary environment I was looking for Jesus frantically. It took me some time out and an “Oh-you-of-little-faith” speech to get back on my feet with a firm confidence in Christ’s ability to still the wind around me.
I know I’m not the only one. I know there are many others around and alongside me who’ve constantly seen the grace of God in their lives, chosen to step out of the boat and then freaked out totally.
It’s okay, friend. We got out.
As long as you and I remember two things:
One – nothing ever happens inside the boat, and
Two – Jesus never calls us to anything that will harm us. His love always wants the best for us.
I’m ready for this year. I’m ready to take new leaps of faith, and I’m ready NOT to doubt and dance back and forth between following Him and heeding faith!
If you’re reading this and don’t have a relationship with Jesus, I encourage you to step out of your boat and walk towards Jesus! The first step is clicking that banner below!