(The following is the January 16 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Matthew 14 and pay close attention to verses 25-33.)
We tend to stay within our comfort zone. This tendency can serve us well and keep us from dangerous activities that conflict with our better judgment. However, this tendency can also restrict us spiritually.
Peter, a fisherman, knew better than to step out of a boat during a storm at sea. That would be common sense to nearly anyone, especially one who spent much of his life in that environment. However, this time was different. It was not just a storm at sea with some people in a boat. The Lord Jesus was with them, and that changed everything. Admirably, Peter said, “Lord, if it’s you, command me to come to you on the water” (v. 28). When Jesus replied, “Come,” Peter walked on water until he took his focus off Jesus and began to sink. Jesus saved him from drowning but chastised him for his lack of faith.
Does Jesus want us to always stay in our comfort zone? No. We should be willing to attempt things for him that we cannot explain apart from God’s power and work. Christ does not call us only to safe journeys that we could likely travel successfully without him. He does not call churches only to do what is comfortable and what they successfully did the year before. Christ bids us “Come” even when the path seems impossible or impractical by human standards.
How do we do that? We step out on faith as Peter did. We keep our focus on Christ and what he calls us to do. And we keep going until Christ tells us to stop.
Do you want to be part of something so remarkable that there is no human explanation for it – something that can only happen through God’s presence, guidance, and power? I do.
Next Step: What have you witnessed in the past year that you can only explain by crediting God and his work? What will you or your church pursue in the year ahead for his glory that only God can ultimately achieve?
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