Often times, I am frustrated by mediocre Christians because I used to be one. I know what a waste of time it was, what a lack of commitment I had, and what little passion for God grew while I was a stationary, lukewarm follower of Christ. Now, I also realize how I am still given over to fleshly temptations and lies and am sometimes repeating history in my walk with God by living hypocritically or shamefully in light of the gospel. However, God gives grace as an opportunity for change in my life and the lives of those who aren't solely and wholly laying down their lives for God.
I think the key is to realize that the Bible plainly says you can either be for God or against Him, there is no middle ground*. That realization should make us second guess the petty or purposeful sins we commit and the attitude of ignoring our Lover, Creator and Best Friend when we cling to the world instead of Him.
Tonight, I remembered the story of Peter walking on the water and realized a small but utterly crucial detail in the story; Peter got out of the boat.
That makes all the difference. You see, Peter didn't just stay in the boat with his friends who still thought well of him and hold on to the relative safety of the vessel from the depths of the sea below and say, "I see you there Jesus. Wow, I really do believe you can walk on water, but I think I'll just watch from here". No, when Jesus called him "out upon the waters where feet may fail"**, Peter left the former securities and doubts and stepped outside of his safety zone with FAITH that Jesus would perform a miracle. When Peter stepped out of the boat he must have felt incredibly nervous, in a similar manner to how I felt watching Nik Wallenda take his record-breaking, historic first steps across the grand canyon on a tight rope with no harness.*** This guy trained and trained all his life to walk across the Grand Canyon, but it took great determination to actually go after the goal he had been striving for for so long. See, it takes so much faith and purposeful decision to actually leave your securities and follow after Christ, but is it really any sacrifice at all to follow Him if you're just going to say you do, all the while staying seated in the boat, cheering for Him?
God doesn't want that from us; He wants our all. He wants our leap of faith from what is familiar to us to what is unknown. That is where true joy in following Him comes from; that moment when we trust Him enough to pick up our crosses and follow after Him. We can't cling to Him and stay in the boat at the same time; the scripture literally says Peter got up and left the boat. Once you leave the boat, there's no turning back. I pray we will all have the courage to leave the complacent Christian life that we so often settle for and instead, race after Christ with such furious pursuit that nothing and no one can convince us to stay in the boat.
Also, in this story in Matthew 14:22, the Bible tells that Peter initially asked Jesus to call him on the waters. This is what we do when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, isn't it? We are so excited and grateful for Jesus and we say, "Lord! Call me to do Your will! Ask me, I will follow", but then it's not all that easy is it?
Once we're out of the boat, we start doubting the kindness, goodness and power of the Risen Lord, and instead we look at our circumstances, insecurities and discomforts in this obscure place He's called us to - that's when we begin to sink. But friends, let us look to Jesus before we look down. Let us remember that though it is hard, committing to Jesus is the most important thing we can do, and that He will help us through it. Let us recall all His acts of faithfulness to us and other saints. He will bring the good works He started in us to completion**** and reward us for boldly stepping and moving towards Him, and away from sinful pleasures. He will reward us with the satisfaction, purpose, and joy of a living purposeful, dedicated, and passionate Christian life. A hard life, striving after God and fellowshipping with Him is so much sweeter than one of ease and comfort; let us remember this when the going gets tough and when we are tempted to settle for the easy outs. He will give "glory to the humble and crowns for the faithful, this is our God"*****.
*Matthew 12:30, ESV, "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."
**Quote from the song Oceans by Hillsong United
***https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7d47IEg32E
**** Philippians 1:6
***** Lyrics from This is Our God by Chris Tomlin
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