CALL
ME OUT OF THE BOAT, LORD”
By Caryn Burdine
The disciple, Peter, is often thought of as one who spoke before he thought. Boy, can I relate to him! I can’t even count how many times I’ve put my foot in my mouth, apologized, and carried around guilt just because I didn’t think before I spoke. But there’s more to Peter. He had the heart. Sure, he often fell, but he wasn’t afraid to get back up. I wonder if Peter even thought about what was coming out of his mouth when he wanted to walk on the water.
The disciples are 31/2 miles from shore in their boat. The wind has picked up and they were straining at the oars to keep from tipping. All of a sudden, they see a figure walking atop the water towards them. I don’t blame them for being scared. I would be too. But when they see it’s Jesus, Peter doesn’t hesitate. “Lord, tell me to come to you on the water” (Matt. 14:28). What??
My first response would have been, “Hurry, up Lord. Get in the boat. The wind’s getting bad.” I am safe to say that getting out of that boat with the seas churning all around would not have been my first desire. But that’s what Peter did. And what did the Lord say? “No, Peter, you stay there. I’ll be there in a minute. It’s rough out here.” Not Jesus! The Lord simply said, “Come” (Matt. 14:29). Just like He did when Peter and his brother Andrew were fishing on the Sea of Galilee. “Come, follow me” (Matt. 4:19). There was no hesitation with Peter then, and he didn’t hesitate this time.
At first glance of this story, I understand Peter’s curiosity. Walking on water would be an incredible feat to perform . But as I dig deeper into the scripture, I mentally put myself in the boat with the disciples.
The darkness of the night sky was void of any stars, and left an eeriness in the air that none spoke about, but everyone felt. There are twelve of us sitting shoulder to shoulder in this small fishing boat. We are tired from the day before feeding and caring for the five thousand hurting people who were all vying for Jesus’ attention and His teachings. He sends us on ahead, and we assume He is going to meet us across the sea.
The winds pick up and the boat begins to rock. We find a couple of oars, and take turns trying to steady the boat against the winds and the waves. Suddenly, someone yells, “What’s that? Over there?” We all strain to see. It looks like a ghost, and we murmur amongst ourselves as we wonder what to do. Then we hear His voice -- that voice that calms our soul and puts us at rest. “Jesus?”
“Take courage. It is I. Don’t be afraid” (Matt.14:27). Our hearts are still pounding from the initial fear, but our attention is now turned back to the waves and steadying the boat. “Hurry up,” we cry to Jesus. But then the boat rocks as Peter climbs out. “What’s he doing?” we all wonder. And we watch in awe as Peter walks towards Jesus.
I can imagine the exhilaration on Peter’s face at his first few steps atop the water. I see Jesus smile at Peter’s child-like excitement. Suddenly, Peter hesitates. It seems “reality” caught up with him. He saw the wind (Matt. 14:30). Did he suddenly realize the human impossibility of what he was doing? Peter began to sink, and was gripped with fear. “Lord, save me!”
Those of us in the boat gasp as we watch Peter engulfed in the waves. Jesus merely reaches out to him. “Peter, why did you doubt?” The rest of us hang our heads in shame. We, too, hope that our own doubts were not noticed.
Living this story through my life today, I envy Peter. I envy his boldness and his courage to step out into the unknown. In the boat, he was amidst his friends. He was dry, and relatively safe. He knew the boat well because of his years as a fisherman. But Peter was willing to take a chance. Peter heard Jesus say, “Come,” and there was no hesitation.
But he fell. Yes, like he so often did, Peter began to sink. But Jesus was right there to pull him to safety. Peter wasn’t afraid to try. Peter knew his source of help.
I remember when Jesus asked me to reach out to a lonely neighbor. I didn’t feel comfortable around her and wasn’t sure how to approach her, therefore, I ignored the prompting. There was the time when my heart told me to invite a friend to lunch, but I rationalized that she was too busy.
A friend of mine recently told me how God seemed to be calling her to teach the elderly. Although apprehensive, she responded in obedience. She was finally getting comfortable with her new role, yet, within two months, she was leading a group of younger Christians. God had called her out of her “boat.” How did she react? Instead of being nervous or upset, she was excited at the new challenge.
I recognized how often I stay tucked away safely in my “comfort zone.” How many times has Jesus called me to step out of my boat to something new? Most often, I choose to remain dry and safe with my friends while forfeiting the chance to “walk atop the water.”
Yes, Peter often spoke without thinking. He faltered in his faith and fell in his walk. But Peter’s heart was in tune with Jesus. As human as he was, he desired Jesus – enough to attempt the impossible.
Lord, let me hear you when you call me: “Come.” I desire the courage of Peter to get out of the boat.
Copyright 2002 Caryn Burdine