Right now, I am at a crossroads. I have a decision to make. Should I continue on the road that I’ve been on? Should I continue this comfortable, sure path? Or, should I take the risk of faith? Should I leave everything I’ve ever known behind, so that I can become who God is calling me to be? On one hand, I know exactly what I will do. I know I will step into my calling. But on the other hand, I am afraid to let go. I am afraid to step out of the boat because once I do, I am no longer in control.
Stepping out in faith requires us to release all control.
As I think of this season that I am in, and this decision that I must make, I am reminded of the time that Peter stepped out of the boat in the Gospel of Matthew.
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. (Matthew 14:28-30 NLT)
Peter was confident in his decision to step out of the boat because he had an instruction from the Lord, and that is exactly where I am. I have heard the voice of God. He has told me what to do. He has instructed me to let go and trust Him. But, the only reason I can do this is because of who my confidence is in…
We can step out in faith when our confidence is in the Lord.
I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. (Psalms 121:1-8 NLT)
I am not confident because of what I see. I am not confident because this decision makes sense. I am only confident because I am following the voice of God…and I know that He will never fail me.
Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true. (Joshua 21:45 NLT)
“...For the word of God will never fail.” (Luke 1:37 NLT)
Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish. I will call a swift bird of prey from the east— a leader from a distant land to come and do my bidding. I have said what I would do, and I will do it. (Isaiah 46:10-11 NLT)
God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? (Numbers 23:19 NLT)
If God said it, He will do it.
We can be confident in the Lord because He holds true to His word. But, maybe you’re reading this and you're thinking to yourself, “How can I be confident in the Lord if I’m not sure He is actually speaking to me?”
One of my favorite pastors, a man known for his extraordinary faith, once said that when it comes to his faith, he is never 100 percent sure that he is doing the right thing. He said that most of the time his faith is only at 51 percent…he is only 51 percent sure that he is following God. And I love the way he said this…
You don’t have to be 100 percent sure to step out in faith.
Because guess what....It’s impossible to be sure. If you were sure…it wouldn’t be faith. Right?
Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. (Hebrews 11:1 NLT)
You don’t need to have all the answers. You don’t need to be completely sure. All you need is more belief than unbelief…just 51 percent.
…“I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” (Matthew 17:20 NLT)
A seed of faith is all that you need…
…Just a little bit…an inkling…a feeling that, “Maybe this is God talking to me…”
Sure…there’s no guarantee that everything will work out. There is no guarantee that you will be right where God wants you. But…either way…you will be so much closer….
You will be closer to your purpose. You will be closer to your promise…the healing…the provision…the victory…that you are believing for.
How can you experience the promises of God without first putting your faith in Him?
You see, stepping out of the boat is absolutely necessary for you to receive all that God has for you.
Yes, taking the risk is scary. Yes, it may be one of the hardest decisions that you will ever have to make. But…consider the alternative.
Consider a life without the promises of God. Consider a life without the fulfillment of purpose. Consider a life that is void of everything you are praying and believing for.
There was a time when the risk of faith scared me to my core. But, I stepped out of the boat anyway. Why? Because I was more afraid of the alternative. I was afraid to live without healing in my marriage. I was afraid to live without wholeness for my family. I was afraid to live without God’s hand on my finances and every other area of my life.
The plan of God is worth it.
It will be worth it when you look back and see all that God has done for you. It will be worth it when you are living in the thing that you were once believing for. Trust me…this risk is worth it. But more than me…trust your Father in heaven…because He will never let you drown.
“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?” (Matthew 14:29-31 NLT)
Walking by faith is a learning experience.
Yes, Peter might not have walked on water as long as he wanted to, but at least he had enough faith to try. So…that is what I want to say to you…
Have enough faith to try…
Dare to trust God. Step out of the boat…and watch as He moves in your life.
This journey will change your life like never before…
Your dependence on God will deepen. His voice will become clearer. And your confidence to step out in faith will grow stronger.
This is the beginning of living the life that God has for you. Trust His plan. Trust His process. And allow Him to do a miracle in your life.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me, thank you for saving me, and thank you for the amazing plan that you have for my life. Today, I have been reminded that I will never be perfect. And I have been reminded that I will never know 100 percent whether I am doing the right thing. But, I have also been reminded that all I need is a small seed of faith, in order to follow you. So today, I am making the decision to use the faith that I have. I will follow you wherever you lead me. I will trust your plan. I will trust your process. And I will allow you to teach me and refine me along the way. I believe that you are with me. I believe that you are for me, and I believe that you will strengthen me and enable me to walk the path that you have for me. I love you, Father. In Jesus name. Amen.
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