Getting Out of the Boat
The other night over dinner several friends and I discussed the distinction between fear, foolishness, and faith. As a personal confession, I tend to live by fear rather than faith. Although I am a church planter (which is by definition a major vocational risk), my nature is to play it safe. I like to have all the facts and answers before launching out from the harbor. Yet, when I look at passages like Joshua being called to cross over the Jordan in order to take the Promised Land from the enemies of Israel, or Peter stepping out of the boat to walk on the water to Jesus, I realize that living by faith requires a willingness to risk in order to follow the call of the Savior. However, I know that it is possible to justify my foolishness by calling it faith. So, how can I know the difference? It appears to be a very fine line. So, take Peter. What got him out of the boat and onto the water? Foolishness, or faith? Without the presence and power of Jesus, his act was sheer foolishness. With the presence and power of Jesus, his act was sheer faith. Sometimes it is practically impossible to know whether what I am doing is rooted in foolishness or faith. But if I am willing to step out, sink and cry out to Jesus for rescue in my failure, then maybe it is faith that is propelling me out of the boat. Indeed, I will begin to live by faith when I realize that I can't to it by myself, but that he can. After all, that is the essence of my entire salvation, from justification, to sanctification, and all the way to glorification—all to the praise of God's glorious grace.
