28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:28-33 ESV)
This past summer, my bride Sara and I, had the privilege of visiting Moldova in Eastern Europe. Moldova is a beautiful country with beautiful people, but has endured a long troubled history of subjugation to foreign powers, including 49 years of Soviet oppression that included a 20 year stretch of Stalinist-forced deportations to quell nationalistic and ethnic pride. As a result, the people are often publicly distant and suspicious of outsiders, but privately are extremely warm and hospitable. The countryside is seasonally filled with vineyards and sunflowers and lavender, providing a beautiful natural scenery and fresh air that renews strength and stamina. The capital of Chisinau is a bustling city filled with parks and historical monuments to cultural heroes of days past.
The Russian Orthodox church holds a peculiar foothold on the culture of Moldova, from local political influence to religious life – even to the point of persecution of Protestant denominations that challenge the authoritarian structures of the Orthodox faith. In fact, non-Orthodox churches are often considered “cults” and Baptists and evangelical missionaries hold the particular distinction of being labeled as “dangerous.”
For several years, we have been calling out to God to show us where we were to go and serve. For most of the last few years, we have believed and began preparing to go to Italy, but during our recent trip, His voice rang loud and clear through the people of Moldova. We very clearly heard the voice of God calling us to “Come.” And we immediately began the first step to answer that call. However, it is the second step that provides the biggest challenge and determines whether we sink or walk.
It can be really easy to get distracted by all of the chaos around us as we prepare to move forward. All of the different tasks that need to be performed in a short period of time, including downsizing, dealing with family drama, concerns about well-being while in the field, finances, etc. All of these different things lead not only to distractions, but can often lead to fear and doubt. Fear of the future. Doubt of the timing.
The danger is not so much in the first step out of the comfort and safety of the boat. The real danger is in the second step where distraction seeps in as you continue to press forward toward the call of Jesus. The first step is easy; the second step is difficult. The first step is faith; the second step is faithfulness. The first step is obedience; the second step is endurance.
Maybe you are walking in a period of darkness and storms are raging all around you, yet you’ve heard the voice of Jesus say “Come.” You’ve taken that first step, but the sounds of the waves crashing in around you have distracted you. The darkness has blinded you. And you find yourself sinking in a sea of despair. Have the presence of mind to cry out to Jesus and He will reach out His hand and walk with you back to the comfort and safety of the boat. Notice, however, that as He is walking back to the boat with Jesus, they are still walking through the storm together. It’s not until they get back to the boat and climb in that Jesus commands the wind and the waves to cease.
In the midst of reading this passage I am reminded of the words of the Lord to the prophet Isaiah when He said:
Who among you fears the Lord
and obeys the voice of his servant?
Let him who walks in darkness
and has no light
trust in the name of the Lord
and rely on his God.
Behold, all you who kindle a fire,
who equip yourselves with burning torches!
Walk by the light of your fire,
and by the torches that you have kindled!
This you have from my hand:
you shall lie down in torment. (Isaiah 50:10-11)
Notice that God encourages Isaiah to walk in the darkness, but trust the name of the Lord and rely on Him. But if you put your trust in torches kindled by your own hand, the end result is torment. Too often when darkness encroaches on our lives, we seek to solve it by shining light of our own making instead of trusting Jesus to walk with us through the darkness to safety.
My encouragement to you today is this: take that second step boldly. Do not be discouraged because Jesus is calling you and waiting for you on the waves in the midst of the storm. And even if the waves are too much, know this: He will not leave you to drown in your despair. He will hold out His nail-pierced hands and hold you and carry you through the storm.