...the external works have to take place; we have to get into the situation of being able to believe. We have to take the first step. What does that mean? It means that we take this step in the right way only when we do not look to the necessity of our works, but solely with a view to the word of Jesus Christ, which calls us to take the step. Peter knows that he cannot climb out of the boat (and across the water) by his own power. His first step would already be his downfall, so he calls, "Command me to come to you on the water." Christ answers, "Come." Christ has to have called; the step can be taken only at his word. This is his grace, which calls us out of death into the new life of obedience. But now that Christ has called, Peter has to get out of the boat to come to Christ. So it is, indeed, the case that the first step of obedience is itself an act of faith in Christ's word.
How many times have I tried to get out of the boat on my own - do you know that situation in your life? I can do this...I can handle this...I will take this on and get it done. And yet, we are not called into the life of Jesus according to what we can or cannot do. If that was the case, nothing would be new and everything would run according to the way things have always been run. That step out of the boat means I'm going down - sinking. And yet, when we are called to follow Jesus, the way has already been set...Jesus is already ahead of us on the water and it is not my ability to do some water dance that keeps me afloat, it is that call to come to where Jesus is - already. But when we are not taking about boats and Peter, the whole story turns to us. The great fear about taking that step is that we have never been there previously. It is out of our domain. The promise is that when we go...when we follow, the Christ who calls will make all things happen. In this story, Peter eventually sinks when he sees what he is doing through the eyes of what he knows he can do. Sinking down in our lives can be a frightening experience - something we try to avoid. And yet, Jesus calls us out to follow him along a way we cannot comprehend completely. What will it bring? What happens when we become water-walkers - followers of the one who will go to the cross? I may just change how the day ahead of us turns around and looks at everything quite differently than in the boat or sinking beneath the waves.
Connection: The community of the church can be the environment that enables us to discern how we are stepping out within our lives. Is it under our own power to control and conquer and keep things as we know them...or...is it because we are being called forth within a new purpose that takes on the form of the cross?
When we are able to control what will happen to us, O Lord, we fall down for we really are not able to do what we promise ourselves. Remind us to look up to you and listen to your call that bids us to live beyond ourselves and yet always within your promise for life. Amen.
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