Get Out Of The Boat!

We've all heard numerous messages on Peter getting out the boat and sinking because he took his eyes off Jesus right?  Well this morning, I got a new revelation that had me bouncing in my seat. First, let's check out the scripture:

Matthew 14:29-31

And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 

It's the last portion of the scripture that spoke to me. 

What I see is Jesus in the midst of me being less than what I feel should or could be, reaching out his hand ANYWAY! 

Think about it. Have we missed it like Peter?  Yeeesss.... plenty of times!  But in spite of our shortcomings, Jesus doesn't back away from us... he reaches out his hand, just as he did to Peter. Now check out the next verse:

And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased

When I reach out to the Lord and look to him to calm the storms in my life, he knows how to do it.  Regrettably, sometimes it's only AFTER I've completely stressed myself out trying to figure it out on my own that I finally come to him. But I'm learning to bring it to Jesus as the first step... not the last resort! 

Get out the boat?  How do I do that?

I don't think Peter looked at the fellas in the boat and asked, "So... do I put out the left foot first or the right?"  They would have looked at him like he was crazy!  First of all, they had no experience with this. Who ever heard of getting out of a boat in the midst of a storm?  Peter you better sit yourself down with the rest of us! Secondly, they had no desire to get out of the boat. So what advice could they give?   No, Peter had to go it alone and while he may have doubted after he got out of the boat, being distracted by what was going on around him,  HE DID GET OUT THE BOAT!  Amen? 

He may have been afraid, but he got out of the boat.

He he no clue what he was doing, but he got of the boat.

He didn't have anyone backing his decision, but he GOT OUT OF THE BOAT!

OK, your turn!  What boat do you need to get out of today?  Don't be afraid, because even if your faith fails, Jesus will still be there and He knows how to get you where he wants you to be. Can I Get An Amen?

From the Can I Get Amen?! Story Collection (c) 2011