Habakkuk 3:19 says, “The Lord is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility].”
Before heading to do a missionary internship in Peru, the song “Oceans” by Hillsong was really popular. It’s one of those songs that gets you at your core, where every word resounds in your heart. Singing words like, “Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders” is a declaration of faith for the future.
But listening to the song now, I realize it’s less about having faith to go do something courageous. It actually has more to do with remaining in faith and growing deeper in your trust in the Lord. Remaining in faith when things don’t make sense. Remaining in faith through disappointments. Remaining in faith through your failures.
I think about Peter walking on the water and so often how we are just like him. We have this stirring in our hearts to do something adventurous. To do something courageous.
“God, wherever you call me, I’ll go! If it’s really you, call me out of the boat onto the water.”
“Wait, what?! You’re really calling me to this adventure?! This is crazy! This is exciting!”
We get out of the boat through an adrenaline rush of faith and we’re doing it! We’re walking on water!
But what happens when the waves are crashing and the storm surrounds you?
Jesus starts to seem a little bit farther and surviving seems like a better option.
You think, “What in the world was I thinking?! Why did I even get out of the boat in the first place?! Jesus, are you sure You called me to this? This is impossible!”
And you begin to sink. The situations of life seem to swallow you and you begin to question your calling.
But do you know what’s funny? Jesus has been so steady and consistent the whole time. You’re your personal bravery when you have none. He’s always there. Never questioning his call for you.
So, He walks towards you and gracefully draws you out of the water. And He reminds you that He’s with you. Never leaving or failing you.
I’m not sure how long they were in the water after Jesus pulled Peter out, but I kind of wonder if they walked a little extra and if Jesus began to share vision with him of the impossibly beautiful things that were to come. I imagine him saying something like, “It was the moment you stepped out on the water that I knew you’d be crazy enough to trust me in greater things, Peter. This is only the beginning of our adventures. Only the beginning.”
What Peter saw as a place of failure, Jesus saw as a starting point of faith.
Even if things don’t look exactly the way you thought it would when Jesus called you to your life adventure, know that He has had a plan this whole time. And it’s actually not about the “walking on water” part. It’s more about walking with Him and seeing what you can do together. Remember that He is your personal bravery and that with Him you can walk and move forward no matter where He leads you.
Lock eyes with Him. Listen to His Truth. Move forward in faith. He has called you. You are in the right place.
