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Here it is the end of May already. Most of the schools nearby are finished or are finishing up this week. The St. Charles area is ready to cruise into summer and take advantage of the great things that come with it. Things like swimming, bike riding, hiking the Katy Trail, boating at the lake, backyard barbecues, Cardinal baseball, and of course some Fritz’s Frozen Custard… all of these and so many more come along with that step into summer.
This past weekend was Memorial Day weekend, kind of the kickoff to summer, and at church the pastor started a new series. In this series he talked about taking that first step, and man, did it hit home with me. Why, when you feel God leading you to something, is that first step so hard? If we say we trust God, that first step should be easy. After all, we are all ready to take that first step into summer, but not so much for God. Why is that? Well, Fritz’s, hiking, and baseball don’t bring much risk to the table, but when God wants us to do something, there is a risk for us.
Now that risk may not be physical – of course, for some scattered across the world, it might – but here in little old St. Charles, it’s usually mental. That’s right; the risk is in our head. For many of us, fear plays the “what if” game, and it keeps us from taking that step. What if I fail? What if they reject my idea? What if I don’t have enough money? Of course for some, we aren’t sure if God’s idea is really a good idea for us, so we pull out the “too busy,” “too tired,” “too many people depending on me,” excuses instead.
About a month ago I had had a super busy Wednesday. I’d been up since 5 AM, led a small men’s Bible study, taught all day, coached tennis afterward, then went to physical therapy, and my butt was draggin’. On Wednesday nights I help with the youth at my church, and I did not want to go that particular night. I was tired and not in the right frame of mind, but I went. I told my wife later that it was the best small group we have ever had. The Lord’s business got done.
I said to my wife that I didn’t know how the Lord used a bum like me who didn’t even want to go. Her response was simple: “But you did go.” I thought about that in context to taking a step, and that is what happened that night. I’m certainly not patting myself on the back, ’cause it was all God, but the step has to be taken by us for God to use us like He wants to, to bless us how He wants to.
This has been happening since time began. Look at the Israelites and the land God had promised them after delivering them from the Egyptians. Basically they decided that the inhabitants of the land God told them to take were too big and bad and there was no way they could defeat them, so they didn’t take the step into the land God had PROMISED them. Instead, they wandered for 40 years.
I’m not saying that if we don’t take the step we will wander for 40 years, but God has a plan, and on that plan He expects you to take the risk, take a step, and trust that He will be there. Like the old saying goes, “No risk, no reward.” But if we really think about it, the risk isn’t there, because the King of the Universe has our back. That really became clear for me this past Sunday as the pastor spoke about Peter getting out of the boat.
Most of you are probably familiar with the story from Matthew 14. The disciples are out on the Sea of Galilee and a massive storm pops up. They are scared and then they think they see a ghost, but it is Jesus walking on the water toward them. Jesus told them it was He, and Peter’s response to Jesus is where we can truly find what we need to take our own steps.
Embrace Doubt
Peter’s first words back to Jesus were, “Lord, if it’s really you.” Wow, I’m not sure I really paid attention to this part of the story before, but Peter wasn’t sure it really was Jesus. He had his doubts. What Peter shows us here through this small declaration is, it’s ok to have doubt. God wants to show you that even though you may doubt, He is bigger than your doubt. The key for all of us is the next thing Peter does.
Get Out of the Boat
When Jesus tells Peter to come, even though Peter isn’t totally sure, he gets out of the boat. Peter took that step even though he had doubts. Even though he had fear, he took the step. And guess what? Peter, with all his issues, walked on water. He walked toward Jesus, accomplishing something he never thought possible because he took the step and trusted God to deliver.
Never Quit Trusting
In our complete humanity even the greatest of greats have doubts. Those doubts don’t go away because you’ve succeeded. Ask any great athlete if when he/she reached the pinnacle it was a doubt-free journey, and I would suspect they would give a resounding NO. What does this have to do with Jesus? Well even after you take that step, it’s a battle to keep your eyes on Him. Everything in you will battle for you to look at the storm around you, or trust in your own abilities, or to just give up, but Jesus is in your corner. He wanted you to take the step and if you keep trusting Him, keep your faith in Him, He will deliver. And even if you fail, He is still right there. Look no further than Peter, who started to sink when fear set in, and Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him.
Thank you, Peter, for laying out that blueprint for us. Thank you, Pastor, for calling it to my attention. And thank you, God, for caring enough about us to be there for us to take those steps, whether they be steps into summer or steps that impact your Kingdom.
Perfect message for us teachers that are maybe not so ready to tackle our summer goals… love the reminder that there really is no risk when it’s something God is calling you towards.
Thanks, means a lot!
Another very good job of relating how our walk with Jesus really works. I am so proud at how God is using you.
Thanks