Stepping Into The “Unsafe” Zone

Believe me; nothing looks safe about stepping out of the security of the boat to dare walk on water.

But if you are ever asked to name two people who walked on water in Bible days, you’ll mention Jesus and Peter.

I’ll remind you if you still don’t know what I’m referring to. It’s in Matthew 14:25–31. Let’s go over it together:

Verse 25, Shortly before dawn, Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got 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!”

31 Immediately, Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Peter, a professional fisherman, was about to have the time of his life. Jesus was walking on water, His disciples were terrified, but then He said to them, “it is I.”

But that’s not enough for Peter; He thinks He can leave the comfort of the boat and try something different.

So, He asks Jesus for an invitation to walk on water towards Him. The Master says Yes, and Peter leaps out of the boat.

Have you ever sat down to imagine what the other disciples must have thought? Perhaps: this Peter again! He’s probably going to get himself killed this time.

Who does he think he is? Can’t he see the waves… Well, the Bible doesn’t tell us what was on their minds; it only highlights that they had been frightened earlier.

Anyways, back to Peter. He takes the first step and the second and probably thinks wow, I’m actually walking on water. This isn’t a movie; this is real.

As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, the water did not have the power to overflow him.

Then Peter shifts his gaze. He observes the wind and becomes afraid. There and then, the same water that had kept Peter afloat could no longer hold him. And the Bible says, “Peter began to sink.”

Friends, faith in God’s word will keep you afloat, but fear will cause you to sink further in. I can almost picture the expression of the other disciples: You see, we told him.

If Peter had just stayed in the boat, he’d have avoided this hot mess. He probably thinks he can keep walking on water; now, look at him. Again, these are just my assumptions.

Thankfully, Peter was smart, He cried out to the Lord for help, and Jesus immediately reached out His hand and caught Peter. Most likely, He walked back to the boat with Peter.

Perhaps you’re thinking, so how does this affect me? It does in many ways:

I don’t know what the unsafe zone currently looks like in your life, but I’ll give you an example that you may be able to relate to >>>>>>