So. Have you every really thought about what it would feel like to step off of the boat onto the water? Even if someone told you that you you would be fine. You would walk on top of the water. It’s safe. Everyone standing around you is freaking out that you are crazy! What does that moment feel like?
It’s got to be scary. Like, who’s right? All of these peers that have surrounded me and built a trust with me urging me to make a smarter choice. And then the one in front of me, standing on the water, telling me “it is possible” … I mean, I kinda wanna do that. So it’s your heart racing. Its a deep breath. But mainly, it’s a choice. You are stagnant if you never make choice to step.
Even to step off the deck into the boat is a choice. So to be in the moment, with the opportunity to step onto something no one you know has ever done before and to have WITNESSES?!?! Heck yeah! I want to do that! But, it’s still really freaking scary. But Peter did it. It got a little dicey. He sank when he began to look away from the One with the power and authority over nature. But he never drowned. He never got left to “sink or swim.”
Here I am, walking through life reminding everyone I come into contact with of how each day is a new chance to save someone’s life with so simple as a smile… but am I actually stepping off of a boat? Because this isn’t that scary.. or am I really just walking into something comfortable and familiar because it aligns with my purpose. Am I even stepping off the deck yet? I kind of feel like I have stepped off of a deck of some kind, but I also don’t really feel like I am on a boat.
Isn’t it weird sometimes how God takes you along these wild journeys that seem so mundane but when reaching back into the memories it becomes an awakening? These little “Godwinks” of life and moments of tingling clarity of the space you are in cause in me awe and wonder. To stand in the same space with the spirit of God is something that would surely send me right off that boat to dance across the water in my underwear like David did in the streets.. or so I hope I would cause that feeling is applesauce with cinnamon sugar on it that’s been in a fridge for just a bit. If ou don’t know, we are not the same. teasing of course.
I’ve been in multiple circumstances along the testimony of my life that required me to walk in a direction that was done in such blind faith that only looking back can I see the great work he did in my presence that I didn’t even notice His action until later. Hind sight is 20/20, and it helps so much to connect those dots and see that beauty play out like giraffe forming before my eyes. But, it’s still really scary though, right? What about Lot’s wife? Like, I don’t wanna be stuck here because I looked back. I don’t want to stagnate in my past.
So I’ve done this walk – blind as can be – and I have no idea how to tell you how or could give you any advice other than just go. God won’t always have you walking on the water, but even if he did, he will not let you drown. We won’t always be successful, but we will fail every time if we just stand there. Each person you meet could be the connection which leads to the moment you get to step off your boat; or your deck… You will get to feel the tingling across your head and shoulders. The kind of tingling that just tickles behind your ear lobes with a soft warmth. It opens my heart to reminisce in the true acts of God I was blessed to be a witness to over my four decades of existing here in this time. It’s been so beautiful, but it was really scary too.
The point is, life is really scary most of the time. Really scary. Like crazy scary, but we do it. Like childbirth, we do it, and then we set our selves up to be willing to do it again if God put that through my body. It would definitely have to be a God given miracle, but I would do it and it would be ridiculously scary. How would I explain that? How would I afford that? HOW WOULD I EXPLAIN THAT??? All of the HOLY CRAP! that could happen. The crazy scary scenarios that flood my brain on a regular basis, but I would still do it. So why is the idea of a man stepping off of a boat onto water so impossible to imagine when we have done far more miraculous things with our own bodies. Our own voice. Our own heart. To allow yourself to love all of those people as God designed you to do. It’s crazy. So was Jesus but the crazy guy saved our lives.
Allow yourself to smile more. Even when it’s scary, find something that affords you the permission to smile. Allow yourself permission to cry. Allow yourself permission to simply be still and know. He IS God and he’s got me. My job is to remind you; he’s got you too. So for whoever needed to read this. Yes. It’s scary but don’t stop.. he’s with you. It feels scary right before we step into anything that requires blind faith. Its only scary to us, God isn’t scared. It doesn’t eliminate the fear completely but it does help. And most of the time, later, when you think back on this time, it ends up that what you are stepping out into on faith, is actually so worth the step.
{This message was brought to you by Carrie Rose, guest writer and encourager to all.}
Coffee with Candee 