Matthew 14:29 So Peter got out of the boat. He walked on the water toward Jesus. But when Peter saw the wind, he was afraid. He began to sink. He cried out, “Lord, save me!” Right away Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “Your faith is so small! Why did you doubt me?”
After running six half marathons during a four-year stretch, I felt God nudging me to attempt a full marathon. At first I fought against this gentle nudging. What? Are you getting me mixed up with someone else, God? Can’t I just stick with what I’m already doing? But when I realized He was indeed nudging me, I completely surrendered. Yes! I stepped way out of my comfort zone. I’d grown quite comfortable in running half marathons. I knew what to expect. I was comfortable with my pace. Comfortable with the training schedule. Confident in beating my own personal records from previous races. I was satisfied with my collection of medals from finished half-marathons.
But when I finally decided to attempt a full marathon, I stepped into unknown territory. It took me several days to muster up enough courage to actually register for the race. And once I officially registered, fear gripped my heart. I was no longer comfortable. Maybe you’re comfortable jogging a few miles around the block, but you think you’d be too uncomfortable to sign up for a 5K. Perhaps you’ve grown accustomed to running nothing but 5K’s and the mere thought of going beyond that distance makes you break out in a sweat. You don’t want to leave your comfort zone because it’s just not….comfortable. But you know what? Sometimes that’s exactly where God wants us to be.
I’m sure Peter felt the same way in today’s passage. It’s pretty obvious that Peter most certainly stepped out of his comfort zone! The other disciples huddled together as they watched comfortably from inside the boat. Nobody else dared to follow behind him. He progressed from being a spectator to a participant. He stepped completely out of the boat and then he walked toward Jesus.
But when Peter saw the huge waves in the distance, he began to sink. He didn’t sink from the presence of the waves; he sank because he gawked at the ferocious waves and took his eyes off Jesus. When Jesus calls us out of our comfort zones, the wind and waves may still distract us. What are your distractions? Doubts from your inner soul? Criticism from others who don’t understand? Unexpected circumstances?
When Peter began to sink, he didn’t have to wait long for Jesus to rescue him. It’s because Jesus was right there. When Jesus calls you out of your comfort zone, he doesn’t just watch from a distance. He is right there beside you to catch you when you fall. The first timid step into the unknown can often usher in a tidal wave of fear. When that happens, humbly drop to your knees in prayer. Call out to Him like Peter did and let him rescue you with the strong grip of his loving hand.
READY? Where do you think Jesus is calling you to come out of your comfort zone? Are you still in the boat? Then trust Him as you take that first step out. Are you a few steps out of the boat? Then keep going one step at a time as you fix your eyes on Jesus. Are you beginning to sink? Then call out to Him! He is still there to catch you and get you going again.
GET SET. Psalm 105:4 Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.
GO! Lord Jesus, I humbly come to you and ask you to show me where I need to come out of my own comfort zone. Please forgive my unbelief and my human tendency to worry! Help me to not focus on the gushing waves around me, but to focus on the strength and peace you promise when we choose to seek your face.
Lisa Preuett~Rest Stop for the Soul 
Keep your eyes on the Lord. I really like your blog. You need to help us who haven’t ran is awhile get back to it.
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Thanks for your comment! I only started running 4 years ago, so it isn’t something I’ve done for a long time.. Anyone can run, but you can choose your pace! I do a combination of run/walk, so that is what works for me!
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Thanks for your comment. I have only been running for about 4 years now. Anyone can run, but you get to choose your own pace. I do a combination of run/walk, so that is what works for me! Blessings to you!
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Lisa, Thank you for your last post, one foot out of the boat and needed this encouragement… This site is a Blessing.
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This was good for me today. I feel like I am being asked lately to “step out” and I am finding excuses not to do so. Thank you!
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I know it isn’t always easy to step out, but we will be more blessed when we do. Praying for you!
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Hi Lisa! Congratulations on conquering full marathons! What an achievement! And if you know that the Lord is calling, he will call you to something good.
The idea of ‘comfort zones’ is so interesting isn’t it? I read somewhere that it’s a man-made term, it’s not anything Jesus ever talked about. For him, there were no boundaries. Just with us. So I think to be more like the Lord, we have to toss aside the zones that hold me back. If he calls, then I need to leap!
Have a blessed Tuesday 🙂
Ceil
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Thanks for your feedback and insight, Ceil! I never really thought about where exactly the term “comfort zone” came from. But you are so right when you say we should long to follow where he calls us.
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