Step Out Onto
The Water!
By Synthia Robinson-Pack
Have you ever noticed how many times Jesus told his followers to "fear not." The reason He had to keep repeating this phrase is simple: they were fearful. Fear is such a pervasive part of our society that we often fail to notice it.
Are you a fearful person? Do you allow fear to control your life? Is worry or stress constant companions? Most of us would say that although we have some fear in our lives, it does not control us. The truth, however, may actually surprise us.
Do you have a home intrusion system? If so, why? It is because you fear that someone may try to enter your home without your permission. Do you worry often about your family, your career or your future? That's fear. Do you try to plan out every facet of your life? That is fear of being out of control.
What if you had no fear in your life? Think about it for a minute. If you did not have to fear anything, what would you do? What would you not do that you are currently doing? How would your life be different? Would you stay in your current job or not? Would you start a family? Would you move to another location geographically? What risks would you take if you knew that you would succeed? Why don't you attempt these changes now?
II Timothy 1:7 states, For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Many of us are familiar with this passage and often quote it. We really do not understand it though. It actually reads, God has not given us an attitude of timidity, but of His Power, His Love and self-control or moderation. This passage gives us the keys of success: fearlessness or lack of timidity, God's Power and His Love, and self-control or moderation. Notice the first point is lack of timidity. Why? Because we will not attempt to step out in His Power and Love with self-control and moderation if we are fearful. Fear will hold us back from the great things that we can accomplish through Jesus.
A perfect example of how fear can stop us is the story of Jesus and Peter walking upon the waters. Matthew 14:22-33 reads:
And straightway he [Jesus] constrained the disciples to enter into the boat, and to go before him unto the other side, till he should send the multitudes away. And after he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain apart to pray: and when even was come, he was there alone. But the boat was now in the midst of the sea, distressed by the waves; for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night he came unto them, walking upon the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a ghost; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee upon the waters. And he said, Come. And Peter went down from the boat, and walked upon the waters to come to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and took hold of him, and saith unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were gone up into the boat, the wind ceased. And they that were in the boat worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. [emphasis added]
Notice how fear is pervasive in this passage: The disciples were troubled. They cried out in fear. Jesus told them not to be afraid. Peter was afraid. He had little faith and doubted.
Also note that when Peter said he wanted to walk out onto the water, Jesus did not rebuke him but simply told him, "Come." He did not give Peter a lecture on how dangerous it was to walk on the water. Jesus did not remind him that no one other than He Himself had been able to do this amazing feat. He simply told him to come.
The passage tells us that Peter walked upon the water until he noticed the wind and became fearful. It was then that he began to sink and cried out to Jesus. Jesus immediately stretched forth His hand and grabbed Peter. He then admonished him for his lack of faith, not because he wanted to walk upon the waters. Reflect upon the fact that Peter walked upon the water. Jesus wasn't the only person to walk upon the water. Peter did it also until he became fearful.
Just like Peter, how many times have you wanted to "walk upon the waters" but you were too fearful to attempt it? Have you started to step out and walk upon the waters but then allowed fear to cause you to sink until someone pulled you up? What fear is holding you back? Is it the fear of failure? The fear of the unknown? The fear of success? The fear of others?
Why don't you begin your great adventure and step out onto the waters. Jesus is waiting for you. He will give you the courage and faith you need to step out. He will stand there and watch while you do that which is impossible. He will even stretch forth His hand and pull you up if you begin to sink. Step out onto the waters and start walking.
Take a bold leap of faith and step out of your boat. Do not pay attention to the wind. Keep your eyes on Jesus as you put one foot in front of the other. Before you know it, you too will be "walking on water."
© Copyright 1993, Synthia Robinson-Pack. All rights reserved.