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Get Off the Boat

The first step we can learn from Matthew 14:22–33 is: Step out of the boat. If you are a follower of Christ, apply step one and get off the boat. 

What does the boat symbolize? It symbolizes the comfort zone that we all have. Think about Peter. He was a fisherman. Do you think a fisherman is comfortable in or out of the boat? If you’re a good fisherman, your comfort zone is in the boat. That’s how you catch most fish. I know there’s wade fishing and other types of fishing, but in the kind of fishing that Peter did, where you go out with nets onto the ocean to get a big haul of fish, the most comfortable choice is to stay in the boat. 

The disciples’ comfort zone was staying in the boat. Yet Peter climbed out, believing Jesus would help him. What is your comfort zone? Leaving it behind does not always mean you must leave your job and move to Timbuktu as a missionary. Sometimes leaving your comfort zone looks like leaving guilt. We get so comfortable with guilt that we don’t want to walk in forgiveness. We get so comfortable with unforgiveness that we don’t want to forgive. We get so comfortable with sin that we don’t know what it would be like to pursue holiness. We hesitate to trust God with our money. What would it be like to become a generous person, or to tell someone the Gospel, or to spend daily time with the Lord?

Whatever your comfort zone, Jesus is calling you! Get off the boat, go for it, and walk in courage. You were made to step out in faith and walk on water. You were made to follow Jesus in a miraculous way. You were made to courageously follow Jesus in such a way that His glory and power are evident to all. When we just sit back in the boat, we miss out on shining with Christ. 

In Deuteronomy, these words were spoken to Joshua as he took over Moses’ position, “Be strong and courageous; . . . for the Lord your God goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.” Pray this passage over your life today. Get off the boat. Get out of your comfort zone. Get uncomfortable. You are strong and courageous!