Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
I love this story. I’ve been on a journey that is taking me to amazing places spiritually. An opportunity for God to dig deeper and in turn draw out much more than I could imagine. So, this story of Peter really hits home right now.
The disciples were all freaked out. They were in the middle of a huge storm, anything could happen to the ship or to them and then all of a sudden this ghost appears. So things went from bad to worse. When Jesus says it is Him, Peter immediately responds. Believing he has seen and heard Jesus, Peter goes for it. He wants to be where Jesus is…right now. Of course as Peter steps out of the boat, he allows his fear to settle back in and he sinks. I love what Jesus says after He lifts Peter back out of the water. “Dude! I called you out of a boat, in the middle of a storm, to walk on water, which you did, and then you second guess me?” (Brent paraphrase).
This hits home right now. In discussion at Mandy’s over “DOing Something”. This common theme came up. “But what about making the wrong decision?” This is my greatest fear. I am more than willing to say, I don’t know. Especially when it comes to a decision that could have a major affect on mine or my families lives. But, I keep going back to this story. If Jesus didn’t want us to experience life, He would never have called Peter out of the boat. Jesus knew exactly what He was doing. He was going to call Peter out and test his faith. Then in the midst of Peter’s failings, he was going to remind Peter that He is still in control.
We can look at Peter sinking and say, he failed. But I think he succeeded the moment he stepped out of the boat. It’s easy to say we trust, but much harder to put that into action. Whatever happened to peter on that journey from the boat to Jesus was insignificant compared to the decision he made to go for it. Heck, some of us may still be afraid of the ghost.
Now, how do I stop doubting? Any suggestions? Or are we figuring this one out together 
September 25th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Brent I wish I could give you some great advice.. but I am figuring this one out as well. But for me I need to not let Satan get a foothold because once that starts the fear and self doubt rolls right on it. The hardest for me would be just taking the FIRST step. Once I get past that I am ok.
Adam´s last blog post…Posting..
September 25th, 2008 at 10:19 am
I love your take on this event. Peter got out of the boat and walked on water. Period. I mean, what are the other disciples going to say to him when he gets back into the boat?
I think is a lesson about what chasing after Christ looks like, not what failure looks like (It is more than: “keep your eyes on Jesus” as summarized by the sunday school teacher). This is a lesson about knowing somewhere along the way we ARE going to sink or fall. This is a lesson about learning what it is inside us the dredges up our insecurities and doubt– the answer is unique to each one of us.
Ric´s last blog post…Poet Calvin Miller
September 25th, 2008 at 10:36 am
For me, indecision & second-guessing always comes out of my fear that maybe I’m not hearing God’s voice correctly. What if this new vision/direction comes out of my own restlessness, rather than out of God’s mouth? From that perspective, I’m a bit astounded at Peter. He had an unfair advantage over us, right? There was NO QUESTION as to who gave Peter the instruction to get out of the boat. And there was NO QUESTION as to what the instruction was. Is it possible that, staring God-in-flesh in the eyes, I would doubt what I was being asked to do? well… apparently… yes it is possible. Still, I’m stuck at step 1… what IS being asked of me–of us–by God?
This is the other things that’s got my gears spinning… you wrote this in comments on mandythompson.com
“When this is tied to the physical, it is maddening, especially with economies the way they are. But when they are tied tot he spiritual, I believe that we will see the great reward when we take the greatest risk. I am trying to learn the balance between the two right now. I am wondering, in some ways, if the physical should ever be a part of my decision making process.”
Seriously. I’ve got perpetual-motion-self-analysis thingys in my head, and they’ve stopped in their tracks over that.
Thanks for writing all of this today.
kim´s last blog post…Name That Tune: Carpool Edition
September 25th, 2008 at 10:37 am
oh and also…
Jesus could walk on water, but Chuck Norris can swim through dry land.
just sayin’.
kim´s last blog post…Name That Tune: Carpool Edition
September 25th, 2008 at 11:14 am
If faith were perfect, it wouldn’t be.
TheNorEaster´s last blog post…Living Water: Family Labor
September 25th, 2008 at 11:34 am
This is actually my worst fear..I don’t want to fail HIM, or misunderstand the mission. But as someone wise told me recently..it is better to err on the side of Grace then to err in disobedience. I can almost hear God saying to me sometimes…”that is good and your heart is in the right place..but this is what I really want..” to err on the side of Grace.
Then I also come to the point in scripture when the Isrealites were crossing the Jordan River..this time the water was not opened up to them as in the Red Sea..not until the priests stood in the water..they had to walk in to the water in faith and then HE opened it up…I think that is what we are called to do. I still don’t have any answers to make that any easier, but man you are always in my prayers!
darla´s last blog post…My Garden of Sanctification
September 25th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Good post and comments.
Your attention to Peter reminded me of an Active Word broadcast I heard last week that I still haven’t got back to hear the conclusion of. These are the links if you or anyone else is interested, and they’re only about 20 min. each.
http://www.activeword.org/mediaplayer/player.cfm?fn=AW20080918
http://www.activeword.org/mediaplayer/player.cfm?fn=AW20080919
I hope to hear the second part soon, but maybe it’s better to recommend it before I listen (so I’m not ‘controlling’ it =).
‘Hope it sheds some light for us ALL to walk by (maybe even on water? =)! I feel like I ’stepped out of the boat’ years ago, and it’s been alternating stormy/peaceful ever since (depending on where I keep my eyes focused for sure!).
D-
September 25th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
What if I thought it was God calling me or giving me the green light, but really he was just letting me fall on my face? What if, what if, what if?
Melinda´s last blog post…Baby Reece
September 25th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Hmmm… I realize that after 40 plus years on this earth, 20+ attempting to follow the Lord, that being like Jesus means getting rids of my independence and really allowing Jesus to be my eyes and ears. If I do that, then any decision I make with that goal in mind is never a wrong decision. Am I always successful in making the right decisions… not always and that is only because I serve a God who will not force Himself on me. He allows me to do my own thing…but it is daily dying to self. If I don’t then I’ll end up sinking.
Personally, I can’t live in the future (the land of what ifs) because more than likely, my view of the future always sees me relying on myself and not on what God can do. It’s my future not necessarily what the Lord has planned.
Hmm… not sure if that really answers your question… just stuff that has been in my brain lately.
Cheryl´s last blog post…Stephen Wiltshire
September 25th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Oh and as for wrong decisions… well, at the time they appear to be wrong decisions but God always knew I would go that route. He still provides a way so that I end up in the right place. Wrong decisions become life lessons in the end…. sometimes they hurt but dying to self does.
Cheryl´s last blog post…Stephen Wiltshire
September 25th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
I am loving the conversation here.
One theme that is standing out is one I want to address.
I personally think that if we choose to stay in the boat and not risk, that we retain control over our lives and God has no reason to move in us. When we step out, all of a sudden He is strong in our weakness. I saw this quote yesterday, “if God is strong in our weakness, why do we hide our weaknesses?” Good challenge to let Him prove His power in our lives.
September 26th, 2008 at 2:23 am
B I wonder that too…Why do we hide in our weaknesses? Is it shame? Fear of others? Or fear of losing all control when surrendering? Or sometimes is it all three? just me thinking on your blog again
darla´s last blog post…5 Ways blogging benefits…me
September 26th, 2008 at 8:20 am
Hey Brent! Yeah, I think we are all figuring this out together. When you get it, let me know. Until then, I have just made it my goal to not stop doubting, but instead stop stopping. Maybe doubt is not the most perfect word there, but it sounded cool to use. Anyway, we all know that there have been some fairly significant jumps in my world as of late, and to be completely honest, I struggle every single day with ACCEPTING that Jesus is going to do what His word says he will do. I struggle every single day with identifying who it is that Christ is calling me to be, even for just that day. I stuggle with my own doubts of being called, of being relevant, of being anything other than just a guy… just a weird whacked out religous fanatic who is chasing a “god” and asking for money. At some point though, I have to believe that this is different.
Now I am in a slightly different position than you, in that it is only my butt on the line if I fall flat on my face. I think that gives me a little more room to take blind leaps… or at least logically it would seem so. None the less, the blind leaps are friggin terrifying. There is a point however, after everything is said and done, that the peace washes in. I still doubt, and wonder if that peace is just the final threads of my sanity breaking and washing away with the goofy juice… but yet I still reach into the abyss and somehow believe in my heart of hearts that God is going to catch me. Just like you do…
You’ll walk on water, because that is what your heart longs for… just like mine. It’s not so much the water, or even the walking, its more about the experience that we can only have when we are truly that abandoned. It’s amazing to me that this is a state that one must reach every single day…
Oh man, I have no idea how long this comment is, nor even what all I said in it. I am afraid to go back and read it before sending, or I might delete some, most, or all of it. Hang on Brent, it’s an awesome ride.
Mocha´s last blog post…Visiting friends tonight
September 26th, 2008 at 8:22 am
I’m hearing you Brent.
i am a little unsure about your take on what happened that night though. Here’s how i see it – i wonder if we see exactly eye to eye?
Peter and Co. were going along on their way when (natural) trouble started to ‘rock the boat’ as happens in all our lives from time to time – storms rage now and then. JC sees there is a bit of fear about and goes to give them some comfort. In the ‘poor’ conditions and with potentially life-threatening danger clouding their minds they do not see Him clearly and Peter asks for a ‘proof’ that He is who He says he is – demonstrating his willingness to follow Him and trust in Him by putting his life on the line and saying – if it really is you then ask me to come to you where you, are as impossible as that seems to me, and i will do it because you ask it.
JC accepts this and tells Him “Come” – follow me – do as i do.
Peter’s Faith in His Lord is such that he does the impossible and walks on the waves. But only for a short time – he still is aware of the ‘World’ about him and it brings ‘doubt’ into his mind and he becomes fearful to hold onto his life, and starts sinking back to his mortal self and human faith but still Has total Faith in Jesus and asks Him to ’save me’ knowing He can.
As Jesus returns them to the boat and stills the storm of Doubts, He gently chides His Disciple as having little Faith (in himSELF!, Peter, – as Jesus has – faith in God as HIS Father and all-powerful Spirit who lives in Jesus through Jesus’s Faith).
This was what Jesus tried to teach His Disciples… to take ‘on board’ the Holy Spirit of His Father in themselves so as to do as He had – develop complete Faith within themselves of God’s total power over life. Not to Have Faith in Jesus – but to have the same faith as He had IN THEMSELVES.
Peter just about had it ‘covered’ – developing that sort of level of Faith, but at that moment had not enough Faith to cast off all doubt that the world could cause to rise up in him and he sought the Master’s assistance, relying upon His Faith and not that of his ‘own’.
We are not to give our Faith ‘away’ to Jesus but are to claim that level of Faith within us as He had – in His Father – the Father of us ALL in Spirit. To cast aside all doubt and do as He did (’.. and greater Miracles than these will you do’).
How could we do GREATER miracles than Jesus, excepting we learn to become as Him and learn His Way and then exceed the ‘good’ He performed on Earth? If we give all our power over to Him we could only ever match His miracles and not exceed them.
It might be a long time ‘coming’ (isn’t 2000 years enough?) but He said we could do it – if we had Faith as a mustard grain (that grows into a mustard tree).
To get to the level where we can overcome ALL doubt we have to take small, steady steps – gaining certainty over our Faith and building it up day-by-day. Small successes will lead to ever greater ones as we ‘perfect’ our Faith in Him.
Overcoming our own deceitful, doubting ego and learning to Trust – in our ability to follow His Way and grow our Faith up to where we are always and completely IN Him. Yes?
This is not about personal ego – but in completely eliminating that so that the spirit He gave us can regain it’s rightful place ( in complete control and direct uninterrupted connection to the Father and we all follow His Spirit within us as His Children and not the ‘personality’ we have developed as children of the Earth.
Yes? or no?
<B
love´s last blog post…Seven Deadly Sins: Part VI – Pride.
September 26th, 2008 at 8:45 am
love ya B, meet you on the water! is it really a choice for us to take the leap? honestly I don’t know many people who are taking it..but i don’t think the popular thing is necessarily the right thing either..oh man!! sorry thinking on your blog again!
darla´s last blog post…FRIDAY!!!….(by darla’s blog)
September 26th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Yep, i’m right there with ya on this one. So I guess we’re figuring it out together. It’s scary.
Rachel Rowell´s last blog post…Letting Go
September 27th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
I’ve always heard this preached on and they address Peter’s lack of faith. How he sank when he saw the waves. But rarely does anyone point that he actually left the boat…no one else did. He tried something and it didn’t work….maybe this was a vital step so he could become the “rock” Jesus would build his church on?
We tried something very risky last year and it didn’t pan out. We clearly heard the Lord call us and when we acted…we sank. We lost some key relationships and our professional reputation was hurt. But this year….others have heard about what we tried….and they want people like us on their team….because we took a risk and failed and kept going. I don’t know if this will work out…but I think it’s better to be fail at trying than to succeed at being safe.
Camel Rider´s last blog post…A church with no members???
September 27th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
totally not related to the post. But I finished getting 100 comments on Brian’s blog.
Adam´s last blog post…Can’t Get Enough..
September 27th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
I have missed a lot here.. Hmmm..
Peter got out of the boat… Doubted.. Grabbed Jesus’ hands… The thing that I never here pointed out is: Didn’t they have to walk back to the boat? What does that say about our faith.
How do you stop doubting? Brent that will never happen. In times of doubt we have to reach out and take his hand. Allow him to lift us up and continue to walk with him.
I think there though comes a time though that we aren’t doubting Jesus, but doubting our faith being strong or big enough. Remember that faith as small is a mustard seed can move mountains. Sometimes we just need to reach out and touch the edge of his cloak to have enough faith.
Mark 5:27
When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak,
Matthew 14:36
and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.
His hand is extended to us fully when we doubt or faith. Grab his hand and walk back to the boat. Walk back to the comfort he can give. Walk with him.
ckroboth´s last blog post…Tears on a Joy filled night…
September 27th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Then I go back and read Love’s insights and say.. AMEN to that also.
ckroboth´s last blog post…Tears on a Joy filled night…
September 28th, 2008 at 12:19 am
Thank You CK – for your words and also the ‘Amen’
His Father is the source of all power. Jesus is the Way for us to acquire Faith as a Human Being – He shows us the Way ‘forward’ but cannot DO it for US. He wanted us to do AS Him not BE him.
Sometimes i think people lose that distinction.
It’s sort of like wanting to be just like your hero…. it can make you do some good things, but ultimately you need to do them because of who YOU are, not who the hero is.
Acknowledge God’s power to work through you (Faith within yourself) just as Jesus did. Do it in the Father’s Name but do it from within who you are because of Jesus – not let Jesus do it for you as Peter did when he was afraid and forgot he also had Faith, as Christ was teaching Him.
There comes a time for us all when we have to let go of His Hand (while not forgetting who taught us and founded Faith within us humans) and walk tall and strong as ourself – to stand upon our own two feet to shine forth His Glory.
Peter began to by stepping out of the boat, but the world overcame his faith – Doubt.
We are to grow our Faith as the Spirit becomes stronger within each one of us and we pay attention to that coming from withinside of who He created us to be. This will lessen doubt within – over time.
Ok – i might need to post on this?
<B
love´s last blog post…Seven Deadly Sins: Part VI – Pride.
September 28th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
‘Just an interesting side note:
I had the radio on KDOV this AM as I was taking my folks to church. It was TRF’s slot, and Ron was teaching in the ‘30 days to live’ series.
So, guess what he was teaching on? Yep, Peter getting out of the boat to walk on the water =)!
D-
September 29th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
how do you stop doubting? you probably don’t.
you do it afraid.
alece´s last blog post…an african gothic
September 29th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
September 29th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Camel rider- I admire your courage to follow HIM. I am starting to learn that in some things that seem that I failed at (when believing I heard HIS voice so clearly), I may have failed at what people see as failure, but in God’s eyes, HE accomplished something we know nothing about…so many in the hall of faith, did not see what the purpose was in what they did out of faith…and God credited them righteousness. I am thinking that I wouldn’t be so quick to think failure…err on the side of grace maybe..but HE never fails us. Love your heart in this!
darla´s last blog post…Blogging Bible Study – John 11 (Jesus is Life/Resurrection Power)
September 29th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Papa- those are great applications! confession time…my first thought was… PAPA I never even seen you where a life jacket on the boat!
you are way too wise and cute…sometimes I don’t know if I should laugh or cry!
Brent- love ya man!
darla´s last blog post…Blogging Bible Study – John 11 (Jesus is Life/Resurrection Power)
September 29th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Darla – I can explain – papa never got out of the boat on the lake – if I had – i would have most likely put on the life jacket !! I love to swim – but prefer to stay on the boat now!
Indian Lake Papa´s last blog post…I dreaded Saturday!
September 30th, 2008 at 7:36 am
papa-
darla´s last blog post…Blogging Bible Study – John 11 (Jesus is Life/Resurrection Power)
September 30th, 2008 at 11:05 am
I am missin me some hodges! **stomping feet** **lip out**
BTW I think your blog misses you too..
darla´s last blog post…In Need of Resurrection?
September 30th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Darla, your awesome.
Gang I am so sorry to have been missing for so long. I absolutely love the discussion here and I have lots of thoughts. I have extremely busy at work with lot of activities going on, that my blog has suffered. I love that the discussion can still take place and go on without me.
One thing I wanted to say, was…
Love, I didn’t int4nd to give a full “take” on the evening, only to see certain aspects of it that I believe we can often miss. Your take on it is right on.
D, I love those kind of confirmations!
You all rock! Be watching for some new posts. i have three in the works.
September 30th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
YAY!!! you are not tied up in a closet somewhere..my imagination was doing strange things…
Love ya B and will be glad to read whenever it works for you!
darla´s last blog post…In Need of Resurrection?
September 30th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Haha!
New post up
September 30th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Really appreciate your comment! Ditto for you!
<B
love´s last blog post…love’s Bare Bones Bible.