29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:29-30 NIV
I remember that day a little over a year ago….Jesus called to Robert and me. “Come”, He said. “I have a greater plan for your life.” We didn’t understand it. We weren’t really even sure what God was calling us to do. Our hearts knew that it would be in marriage ministry, but that’s all we knew. We resisted God’s nudge for a while. See, we were in a place of safety, comfort and familiarity - our boat, if you will. We loved our pastors and church family. It was home to us. We even had a successful marriage ministry already in place. This just didn’t make sense to us, or anyone else for that matter.
Like Peter, we said, “Ok Lord, if it’s really you, we are willing, but you’ll have to make a way.” Immediately, He began to do just that. At that point all we could do was to obey and take a huge leap of faith. We stepped out of the boat, took His hand and stepped onto water that was unknown territory. We chose to have faith that God would provide everything we needed.
9 Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God. 10 This is how you will know that the living God is among you…
13 And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.” Joshua 13:9-10a, 13 NIV
Once we stepped out of the security of our boat, God began to reveal His perfect plan. He has walked with us every step we’ve taken in developing our marriage ministry. Every morning as we start a new day, we continue to step in faith and He continues to lead us, encourage us and provide everything we need. When the winds of opposition and waves of contempt threaten to sink the boat, we keep our eyes on Him. He is our protector and our Savior.
What is your “boat”? Is the Lord calling you to step out of that boat onto the water? What is that “water”? For Robert and me, the “water” was the uncertainty of financial security…the fear of failure. Will you choose to step out in obedience? Or will you choose to stay in your boat of “comfort and security”?
Whatever it is that the Holy Spirit is tugging at your heart to do, I encourage you to step out of that boat and onto the water. God will be waiting there to lead you. His plan is so much greater than ours. Trust Him and do not be afraid! Have faith! He will never leave you or forsake you.
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. Isaiah 12:2 NIV
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I’m overwhelmed at Your unconditional love for us. Lord, thank you for never leaving or forsaking us. Please forgive us when we don’t obey when you ask us to “step out of the boat”. Please give us the courage to trust and walk out “onto the water”. In Jesus’ Holy & precious name we pray. Amen
Kim Stokes is married to her husband Robert and together they lead a Non-Profit Ministry called R3 Fellowship based in Montgomery County. Their desire is to see men, women and marriages Rescued, Redeemed and Restored by the transforming work of Jesus Christ.
