Getting Out of My Boat

“Take Courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

                                                                                    Matthew 14:27

Today is the long anticipated publication day of the book and devotional the Lord led me to write. This time last year I was still writing Healing Balm For Grief, and I had not yet been called to write the Healing Balm For Grief Devotional.

I never expected to be writing, let alone publishing books, at this stage of my life. There have been times when I wasn’t sure I should or could persevere. But, each time doubts started to impede my progress, I remembered that I was writing to help others and to fulfill the purposes God has for what He has led me to write.

The Lord told me that many people need to hear what He showed me along my grief journey after my husband died unexpectedly. He said many widows and widowers are grieving in darkness, and He wants to set them free.

Everything surrounding these books and the impact they will have is for His glory. What feels too big for me to handle at times really isn’t because it is about Him, not me. It never has been or ever will be about me.

As I’ve navigated the past year with the Lord, He has often led me to revisit a visual that He gave me early on my grief journey. Similar to when Jesus walked on the water while His disciples were struggling in their boat against a storm (Matthew 14:22-32), I saw Jesus standing on roiling water amidst a storm. He encouraged me to get out of my small boat and join Him.

Was I going to trust and obey Him by leaving the safety, security, and predictability of my boat? Was I going to step out into something new, scary, and foreign to me?

Each time I’m taken back to that visual, I choose to leave my boat. I don’t say that pridefully but to testify that each time I step out in faith, it is easier to step out in faith the next time. Jesus is always there! He always holds me securely above the water, and I never sink.

When I’m on the water with Jesus, my complete trust is in Him. Without His steady Hand and Presence, I would sink. I intentionally keep my eyes on Him and not on the wind whipping through my hair or the splashing water at my feet. When Peter looked at the wind and the waves, he started to sink (Matthew 14:20).

I’ve come back to that visual a lot as the Lord has called me to do so many new things - things I never anticipated doing, especially now.

And, whenever I find myself retreating back to the safety of my boat, the Lord will beckon me again to step out onto the uncertain waters, grasp His hands in mine, and allow Him to keep me above the churning waters.

Today marks another day when I’m getting out of my boat and joining Jesus at a place where only He can sustain me. I don’t know how publishing these books is going to change my quiet life or what other new things the Lord will call me to do. But I know whatever He calls me to do, He will always gently but firmly hold my hands and uphold me when I get out of my boat once more.

Dear One, how might the Lord be calling you to leave your boat and step out in faith? When He calls you, be courageous and follow Him!

*Oleta Adams: Come And Walk With Me

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“For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.”

                                                                                    Psalm 27:5

Let’s Pray

Dear Jesus,

Thank You that You have good plans for us and that we don’t have to walk our life paths alone!

Thank You that You understand how hard it is for us to leave the safety and security of our boats, step out in faith, and follow You wherever You lead us. Increase our faith and courage so we can be obedient to whatever You are calling us to do and be, especially when it is something new and scary for us.

Thank You that when we join You on the water, You always hold us securely above the unstable currents and embolden us to follow however You lead. You are our strength!

Thank You for being so active in our lives, for hiding us in the shelter of Your tabernacle, and for setting us high upon a rock. We are grateful that You redeem everything unpleasant in our lives, You see our suffering, and You want to heal us. Fan the flame of hope in the heart of each person reading this and fulfill the good plans You have for them. Shower them with Your peace and deliver them from all fear.

In Your Strong Name we pray,

Amen