“Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap” (Ecclesiastes 11:4, NIV).
Settling is not what God desires for us. If we settle for less we miss His best. This year can be a great year of growth in faith if we step out of the certainty of the place where we have settled—if we risk something new that pushes us to believe in what we can’t see. How many times have we heard that we need to move forward in Jesus Christ, and let go of the comfortable place where we have settled? We need to get out of the safety of the boat, and launch out into the depths of the unknown with Him. “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me” (Psalm 42:7, NIV). The depth of the Holy Spirit calls to the depth of man and bids him, “Come. Step out of the boat, and launch out into the deep with me!” Do I long for the waves and breakers of His Spirit to sweep over me carrying me to new heights? Am I tired of just observing the power the wind of His Spirit brings to another life— tired of being one who observes instead of one who partakes? If I completely long for these unknown depths of complete surrender, I let go of all that has defined who I am. I risk believing in what He has chosen for my life. I plant and invest myself in the unknown to which He has called me.
How many of us allow our failures, pains, attitudes, and even sins that were crucified with Christ to hold us back? Christ calls us to let go of all that has defined who we have been. I must let go of what I consider the certain security of the boat. There is no security in the boat I have constructed for my life—only false hopes and dreams that offer nothing in the end. That boat is subject to the waves and storms of life. That boat can sink. But I discover when I let go of my self-constructed identity, and step out into the depths of the unknown in Christ, I am at last standing strong upon faith in Him, and not sinking into the depths of my own doubt. When I step out of that boat into what is uncertain, I am no longer the person who could not quite get things together, or a person who has been crushed by circumstance. I am no longer someone who lets feelings of rejection define who I am. I am no longer a failure or ruled by fear. I am no longer one who needs the world to approve of me. I have found my worth in Christ. In Jesus Christ I am a new person.
In Matthew 14 Jesus addresses Peter’s fear when faced with the uncertainty of the unknown. “Jesus spoke to Peter, ‘Be encouraged! It’s me. Don’t be afraid.’ Peter replied, ‘Lord, if it’s you, order me to come to you on the water.’ And Jesus said, ‘Come.’ Then Peter got out of the boat and was walking on the water toward Jesus. But when Peter saw the strong wind, he became frightened. As he began to sink, he shouted, ‘Lord, rescue me!’ Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him, saying, ‘You man of weak faith! Why did you begin to have doubts?’” (Matthew 14:27-31, CEB). Fear holds us in our own self-constructed boat. But Jesus calls us to walk on water—to step out into the unknown with all our being focused on Him. We must not be afraid to move forward into the unknown depths of the Holy Spirit. There is freedom from all that has defined us when we leave all our doubts behind and step out in faith. When we surrender and take that first step on water—keeping our eyes upon Him, He empowers us to take another step and then another and another. And the impossible becomes the possible—failure becomes success and defeat yields to victory.
Are you ready for the depths He has just for you? Don’t just stand on the sidelines and wonder why you aren’t moved by the wind of His Spirit. Plant yourself in Him. Be surrendered to His power and purpose. Each day step out of your boat and discover His newness of life that fosters greater faith. If you sow what little faith you have in Him, you will reap greater faith as a result. Settling will fail you. The new in Christ will never fail. Christ calls you to step out of the boat and walk on water. Launch into the depths of what has been your uncertainty. You will find it the most certain thing you have ever done.
Copyright 2017 Lynn Hampton Lacher
No comments:
Post a Comment