Step off the Boat
Based on Matthew 14:22-33
22 Immediately afterward He compelled the disciples to get into the boat and to go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. 23 After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. 24 But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
28 Peter responded and said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and when he began to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out with His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are truly God’s Son!”
Step off the Boat
Having been given all that they’d need,
The fish and bread was adequate feed.
Nourished by this Teaching Man,
The meal was plenty, feasting grand.
Christ could have rested, labor great,
He could have said, “prayer time can wait.”
But He recognized His need inside,
More than food, He’d need abide.
This time alone would prove to be
The sustenance He’d truly need.
He sent them on, He’d stay and be,
With Lord of all, wait quietly.
It took His time, it took reserve,
To stay behind, to keep calm nerves.
Upon the mount, He’d stay and pray,
Important work for end of day.
To be alone, to hear so clear,
His heart longed for the Father near.
The time passed on, the distance grew,
He’d missed the boat, He’d have to move.
The sacrifice of time and space
Accomplished more than rest and laze.
He’d have to close the gap to gain
On His friends among the waves.
Because He took the time in prayer,
He’d fight strong waves to meet them there.
In dark of morn, He’d come upon
Fishing men who sailed the dawn.
Then fear and fright gripped them all
Until they heard their Savior call,
“Take courage men, don’t be afraid.”
Each stared at feet firm on the waves.
Stunned, aghast, wide-eyed they'd stutter,
Until one man named Peter muttered,
“Lord, if it’s You, then call me out.
I'll walk to You and keep Your route.”
Beyond the edge, upon the sea,
Peter treaded faithfully.
Eyes fixed upon the Faithful One,
He firmly walked on toward the Son.
Solid, grounded, steady course,
His feet would move as if on shore.
Awesome, thrilled and overwhelmed,
The gap grew wide from man to helm.
Then faith gave way to fact and fear,
Eyes observed, waves roared to hear.
Darted gaze, now misaligned,
Veered off course from Christ’s design.
Then gurgle, slush, unsteady state,
Rolling waters lapped at fate.
Prepared to gasp, fight for his life,
Peter drowned in stress and strife.
He’d failed to look on Jesus Christ
Faith fell down, he’d pay the price.
Sinking while the waters rolled,
Peter failed, lost all control.
Overtaken, sunk in fear,
A firm hand reached and pulled him near.
A “save me!” heart cried to his Lord,
Foundation quick to be restored.
“Why did you doubt, with faith so small?
You looked away, your progress stalled.”
Christ led him to that wooden vessel,
Rebuked the waves, the wind He wrestled.
Each sailor awed with mouths agape,
Perceived God’s Son, proclaimed Him great.
They worshipped; right response to power,
Displayed in morning’s golden hour.
In looking back we judge this swimmer,
Deride him as his fate grew dimmer.
But protest doth I, as questions vet,
He alone had gotten wet.
He alone stepped off the bow,
He alone ignored the “how”.
He tried, he fell, his trust grew weak,
Alone He moved when Christ did speak.
We watch and tend to hold what’s safe,
Watch from the boat, not charge the waves.
“The surf’s unsure”, eek sons and daughters,
But Peter got to walk on water!
He stepped, he walked, he trusted too.
Step one was good, he missed step two.
But if he had not abandoned stern,
Would hungry hearts have ever learned?
Imperfect just like you and me,
Oh, I’d surely love to walk the sea.
To walk upon the path of Christ,
Follow with feet and trust my eyes.
I hope like Peter, I’ll leave the boat
With wings like eagles,
I’ll fly,
I’ll float.
