Day 9: Take a Step
Reading for Today
Matthew 14:27-31 (NIV) But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Faith often feels like taking the first step without seeing the entire staircase. – Martin Luther King Jr.
Such powerful words from MLK resonate loudly with many of us today.
Following God often requires you to take a step of faith without knowing all the details or exactly how things are going to end up.
If we were to honestly assess our relationship with God eventually, we would have to admit that we fail to take the step of faith because of fear.
Delete Your Fear
Jesus instructs Peter to deal with his fear by encouraging him to delete it.
He tells Peter, “don’t be afraid!”
We have to do the same thing, when fear threatens our faith, we have to learn to remove it with the knowledge that Jesus is present.
Demonstrate Your Faith
Peter initially heeds the Lord’s command and steps out on faith. He leaves the boat and walks in water towards Jesus.
Faith means climbing out of the boat. The boat of fear, the boat of bad choices, the boat of depression and attempting to do what seems just as impossible as walking on water.
Develop Your Focus
Peter eventually began to sink – the bible tells us that he saw ‘the wind and the waves.’
Are you seeing the wind and waves in your life? Have you taken your eyes off of Jesus and begin to doubt the next step in your life?
Like Peter we too have to learn to keep our focus on the one who will equip us to do what seems impossible.
During this time of fasting we will be tempted to lose focus, but no matter what let’s keep our eyes on Jesus.