Enjoy this fun story about Stepping Out in Faith.
A church had just elected their first woman pastor. It was a new experience for them all, but most everyone was in favor of their new shepherd. But one of the guys in the church was having a hard time accepting it – not because of any prejudice or sexism, but because his favorite pastime was fishing, and he had always enjoyed taking the pastor out on the boat. He just assumed a woman pastor might not know anything about fishing. And in this case, he was right. But when she found out that he had always had this relationship with pastors in the past, she approached him and announced that, whenever he wanted to go, she would enjoy going fishing with him.
The time came when they decided to go, and when they had gotten into the boat and anchored down, he found out very quickly that she knew nothing about baiting a hook, so he had to bait the hook for her. When she hooked her first fish, he realized she knew nothing about how to reel it in, so he had to help her reel it in. Then, of course, he had to take the fish off the hook as well. The result was that the man really got no fishing done himself that day.
Then the wind began to blow, and she was cold, so she mentioned that she should have brought her jacket from the car. When he suggested that he could pull up the anchor and take her back to get it, she said, “Oh no, don’t bother. I’ll get it myself.” And with that, she stood up, got out of the boat, and began walking across the water to the shore.
The man sat there shaking his head sadly. “Just like I figured,” he muttered, “Can’t swim either.”
The Lord is calling us to step out in faith. And, when we do, amazing things will happen. Don’t stay warm and dry in the boat. Get ready to step out and walk on stormy waters with Jesus.
What might be the areas you need to step out in faith? Honoring Jesus with everything you say and do? Talking to a neighbor, co-worker, classmate, or family member about the Lord and His salvation? Being willing to give up a habit that is not pleasing to Him? Standing strong for Jesus by lifting Him up on social media and being willing to face any pushback? Giving extra money to World Missions so that those who do not know Jesus, maybe have never even heard about Him, can have a chance to hear the Gospel? Being willing to follow Jesus, no matter what others may say or do?
It takes courage to step out of the boat. It is easier to stay in the boat with all the others who are not ready or willing to step out. But when you finally do step out of the boat, a miracle happens. In Peter’s case, he was literally walking on water, and not calm water but stormy water. What miracle will the Lord make happen in your life?
I was just talking on the phone this morning with a friend from the Mainland who attends church here whenever he is on the island. He was excited because he recently met a family that were going through a great crisis, but he was able to talk to them about the Lord and both husband and wife chose Jesus as their Savior. What if he hadn’t said anything to them about the Lord? Thankfully he stepped out in faith and the Lord answered in a phenomenal way: there are now two new names written the Lamb’s Book of Life (Luke 10:20; Revelation 21:27).
It might be fearful to step out in faith, but when we see the Lord’s intervention, it is exciting! Just think: the Lord will use you and me to accomplish something great for Him and His Kingdom. But first we must be willing to step out in faith and step out of the boat!
This Sunday, September 17, we will begin a new teaching series, “Faith Strong!” The first emphasis? “Step Out of the Boat!” from Matthew 14. Please invite someone to join you at 10:35am either in the building or online for the Live broadcast on Facebook (Honolulu AG) or our YouTube channel (Honolulu Assembly of God). We Livestream every Sunday at 10:35am to both locations.
Aloha ke Akua!