Get Out Of The Boat

If you want to walk on water, you have to eventually get out of the boat. I started reading the book, If You Want To Walk On Water You’ve Got To Get Out Of The Boat, by John Ortberg. Right in the beginning it talks about there being more to life than sitting in the boat. There must be something inside of you that wants more than where your life is right now.

Your boat represents your comfort, safety and security Your fear will tell you what your boat is. If you took a leap of faith to do something what would it be? Or what is the biggest problem in your life right now that you are looking for guidance on?

In the book it says Peter was getting out of the boat, and did one BIG significant thing… he let go. Let me say that again, he let go of the boat. He let go of his issue, he let go of the comfort zone and trusted that Jesus would take over. Peter sure had unwavering faith to be able to let go of the boat that is for sure! How do you get to that point?

Then Peter shifts his focus from Jesus to the wind and the storm. It sounds like he got distracted and started to worry about a problem again. The book talks about some people stay in the boat and just look out at the wind and storm and decide to stay in their safe boat. Some people get out of the boat, but freak out and return to the comfort zone when the sky gets rough.

Here is the thing, Peter got out of that boat and trusted Jesus. Even if it was for a little while, he took that leap, when eleven disciples watched from the comfort zone of the boat. That is something to be proud of!

Now how in the world does a person get past fear and just trust that there will be a blessing behind it (or a lesson)?

I guess you just leap and see what happens. Easier said than done when that means quitting a job you dislike and do not have backup income. Or need to have a difficult conversation with a family member, when they will always be in your life because they are family. Or when it is to create a new business and go out on your own, which is a huge undertaking.

My question to you is, can you put your toe in the water and let go of the boat instead of leaping out?

Can you have a conversation with your boss about your unhappiness at work? Can you write some notes down about how you would structure the conversation, or talk to someone about the issue? Can you search names for a business on the state website or checkout a book from the library on how to start a business?

Those would all be steps in letting go of the boat. He would not put those ideas in your head if he didn’t want you to purse them. Either it will be a blessing or a lesson. Either way you could be in a better place than by just sitting in the boat and watching and waiting.