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Welcome to my summer blog swap! During the month of July, I invited four of my blogger friends over to this space to share their stories. It is a fun way to introduce some of my favorite writers to all of you. My fourth guest is Carol Graft. We met through my favorite writing group, Hope*Writers. Carol loves encouraging women on their journey with Jesus. She shares here that when you step out of the boat, God meets you where you are.
Matthew 14:22-33 tells the tale of an encounter Peter had with Jesus. First, though, he had to be in a situation that he was unsure. I’ve been there many times.I’m sure you have as well. The disciples are on a boat in the middle of the Galilean sea when a storm happens.
Your Galilean storm, your fishing boat may look different, but it’s still a call to step out of your comfort zone.
Over the years my comfort zone for many things has been stretched- whether that was getting up in front of people to lead worship, or speak, or teach. It required a lot of stretching and even more faith.
I was asked to do things that I hadn’t seen anyone do before, and this challenged me. Traveling in what was new territory for me: A step out of the boat moment.
One instance, in particular, I wasn’t sure if I was entering the Twilight Zone, or if I was hearing Jesus chuckle and saying ‘Watch me.”
What Stepping out of the boat looks like for me now:
Now, stepping out of the boat requires putting words on paper that have nothing to do with chapel teaching or Sunday teaching. It has involved a lot of apprehension, a lot of intimidation. This writing life is definitely not comfortable. It’s still new to me. We always wonder “will my words have any impact?”
Like Peter though, I am stepping out. The water may be rough; the voices of the enemy and the naysayers are harsh, much like the winds Peter and the rest had to wrestle against. Jesus though, is there, asking me, asking the rest of us to step out of the boat.
Stand on the water and start taking those steps. Take that small step out of our comfort zone.
“Wait! Don’t look down.”
“Look straight ahead,” Jesus says.
“Keep your eyes on me.”
His arms are outstretched, His face is encouraging. His hand is waiting to grasp ours when we get to where He wants us to go.
If we take those first steps out of our comfort zone and out onto the water, He will meet us. He will guide us.
He will also wait until we are comfortable again, and say “Now, step out some more.”
Bio:
Carol lives in West Michigan whee she is close enough to the beach to chase the sunsets when she can. She has been married 34 years and counting. Carol is a mom to seven, mostly grown, children, four of which are married. She feels blessed to have three grandchildren. She enjoys hot beverages, prayer, and worship. She also loves to teach and encourage others in their journey with Jesus. She is learning to lean in and follow God’s call of stepping out on the water. You can find her blog here.
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