“Get Out of the Boat!”
Once many years ago, my college roommate’s father invited us for an afternoon excursion on his Grand Banks Boat. If you are into boating you would have thought his boat a thing of beauty. It was lovingly cared for and its teak wood and brass fittings glowed in the warm Florida afternoon sun. Me…I am a bit leery of boats, so I boarded the vessel with some amount of trepidation. The trip started out idealicly enough…an easy, gentle cruise down an intracoastal waterway as we made our way to the gulf. I was enjoying the novelty of a boat ride and the company of my roommate’s family. They had brought along their poodle named Teddy. As we ate lunch we took in the raw beauty of nature in the small islands doting the waterway and exchanged greetings with passing boaters, relaxed smiles on their faces and cool drinks in their hands.
We arrived at the mouth of the waterway and headed out into the bay, trading smooth waters for the rougher chop of the ocean. I had only ever before been on boats on lakes so I was not prepared for the rolling action of the ocean. Neither was my stomach. I soon found myself hanging over the side of the shiny boat sick to my stomach, weak, and light headed. I can still distinctly remember feeling in those moments that I would give everything I owned to be back on solid ground. My stomach now emptied of its just-eaten lunch, I headed downstairs to sip water and eat crackers, alone, with only the dog for company.
I missed the view as the boat rounded the tip of the peninsula and came near the magnificent Sunshine Skyway Bridge. I also missed seeing the afternoon squall heading our way. Anyone who has ever lived in Florida knows how pop up storms come on like clockwork in the afternoons and just how intense the storms can be. The boat was soon tossing and turning in the rain, wind, and waves. I clutched the poodle to me as I was tossed around in the cabin below, terrified that the boat would sink in the storm. The storm quickly went on its way, though the water remained choppy.
I heard my roommate’s father calling for me. Our exchange went something like this.
“Jamie, come out here.”
“No!” I replied in fear.
“Jamie, get out here now!’
My roommate’s father being a man few would disoblige, I sheepishly I went upstairs.
” I need your help. Get out of the boat!”
“No! I’ll drown.”
“Jamie, get… out… of… the… boat… NOW!”
I jumped in the water only to find that the water came up to only my thighs. The storm had turned the boat sideways to shore and the waves had pushed it inland and were now slamming the boat against the sand below. We all strained and pushed till we finally freed the boat and turned it in the right direction.
That whole time I had sat below, being tossed by the waves and clutching the poodle in fear, I could have been above board, seeing the sky clearing of the storm and setting my feet on solid ground. It was a somber trip back to the dock as I sat…ashamed.
I know of another boat ride. The one in Matthew 14 :22-32, where Jesus, after feeding five thousand people with only five loaves of bread and two fish, sent his disciples out on the boat to go to the other side. Later, after staying behind to pray, Jesus walked out on the water to the boat where it was being buffeted by the winds and the waves. And there’s Peter …impetuous, brash, passionate, imperfect, stumbling Peter…Oh how I can relate!!!…who calls out to Jesus, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.”
Jesus simply replies…”Come.”And Peter, in his bravado, his faith, his courage, stepped out of the boat. He walked on the water till his faith faltered, then he began to sink crying out “Lord, save me!”
The Bible says, “Immediately, Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
They then got into the boat and the wind died down and they worshiped him.
Many upon reading this passage focus on Peter and his faltering faith. I think of the rest of the disciples…the ones who stayed in the boat. Yes, Peter’s faith faltered when he took his eyes off Jesus, but at least he got out of the boat. He had the thrill of walking on water in the midst of the wind and waves, and when his faith faltered and he began to sink, he had the assurance that his Saviour would rescue him. Those others missed the lesson, but Peter, even in his imperfect faith, learned first hand that God is faithful and that God is all-sufficient.
Get out of the boat!
Lord,
I praise You and thank You for your faithfulness and sufficiency. Help me not to live a mediocre life of faith out of fear. Help me to trust in You and to get out of the boat and follow You, wherever You might lead me, knowing I can count on You.
Amen
