Do you ever you find yourself eager to succeed but the ingenuity is missing?

My youngest is 4 years younger than my oldest, but she still desires to do whatever he does! Her confidence is commendable but her ability is lacking.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve aspired to do more than I’m equipped for. And I always seem to come up short. I’ve wondered why when I try so hard, again and again. Then, one day I heard it, as if the gentle breeze had words,

What were you called to do?

Lately I’ve been studying Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples. I was truly enticed after listening to one of Beth Moore’s studies, ‘Sifting Season: Part 1’ when she mentioned Peter.

A lump in my throat formed when she said,

“Peter was talking when he should have been listening, slept when he should have been praying, sinking when he should have been walking on water and rebuking Jesus to His face, when he should have been doing anything else!”

– Beth Moore, ‘Sifting Season: Part 1’

Anyone else find themselves so eloquently described here as a Peter? My hand is high in the air as I am constantly seeking my own way, even if I feel it is my calling. Yet over-confidently setting myself up for failure. Yes, I could easily relate to each of Peter’s shortcomings listed here.

But right now, I want to focus on one: sinking when he should have been walking on water.

Let’s take a look at Matthew 14:22-33, the well-known story of Jesus walking on the water. After I learned more about Peter and God healing my spiritual blindness, this passage took on a whole new meaning! I pray the same for you!

“Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home.  After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.
Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”
But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”
Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
“Yes, come,” Jesus said.
So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.”

Many moments, friends, I find myself sinking! I’ve not had the glorious pleasure of walking on water, and I tell myself, “If I would have been asked to do that instead of Peter, man I wouldn’t have messed it up like he did!” I try to convince myself that my faith in that moment would have allowed me to take step after step on that water! But that is farthest from the truth!
And here is why.

Peter showed three things in this story: determination, obedience and faith.

Determination

Before we can even begin walking on the water, we must have the determination to get out of the boat!

My pastor shared recently a detail I overlooked reading this passage. He said when Jesus called Peter out of the boat, it wasn’t some dinky boat. It was a big boat! He would have to work to get up over the side before even stepping out!

Obedience

Peter boldly asked Jesus to call him out of the boat. And when Jesus answered. Peter obediently (albeit, over-confidently) stepped out. Sadly, his immaturity and pride caused doubt and he began to sink.

“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”

– James 1:6

Where I used to see Peter’s DOUBT, as a failure, I see now it was a learning curve. Yes, maybe his motives were construed and deterred by pride. Maybe he talked before taking time to listen. Maybe he fell asleep in his quiet time with Jesus, but he never stopped trying after each failed attempt. And that is admirable. Peter was still needing to grow, but his heart was seeking after Jesus!

Faith

Where is your heart? Don’t allow fear and doubt keep you from your calling! The Enemy’s whisper tells you that you’ll sink, yet Jesus wouldn’t call you out on the water if you were going to sink! With each step, eyes fixed on Jesus, your faith will grow.

Peter’s determination was to go to Jesus. His obedience got him up and out of the boat and His faith allowed his feet to do the miraculous act of walking on water towards Jesus.

Again I ask,

What were YOU called to do?

Dear sweet friends, we are all being called out of the boat, onto the water! Our purpose will be different, because Jesus is calling us by name, to trust Him! If we try, in our own power to leap out of the boat and begin running, we will sink! Every single time. But, if we step out in faith, fixing our eyes on Him, it will be as if our feet are on solid ground.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

– Hebrews 12:1-3

*CHALLENGE: In 1 Peter 2:2-3, the NLT says “Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment.”

Peter cried out (as a newborn Christian) and experienced failure. Time and again. BUT he craved the pure spiritual milk. Do you?

I urge you to taste that spiritual milk. Because as Peter continued in verse 3, “now that you tasted that the Lord is good.” Even when we fail (which we will) we must be determined to be obedient and grow in faith! Take that step today!

Heavenly Father, thank You for calling us onto the water! What an honor to walk in step with You! But Lord, our sin has hindered us from taking each step in our own power. We need You! Because the moment we take our eyes off of You, Father, we will sink! Please help our feet be on solid ground, firmly founded in You! And may our faith grow as we step out of the boat, into Your glorious presence. Thank You for calling us by name! In the power of Your Name, Amen.