Be risk-taker and get out of the boat
When is the last time you took a risk? A chance? I mean … I’d rather the answer not be related to playing your last lottery ticket or going to play the slot machines. When is the last time that you took a real risk on you? When, if ever, have you taken a step of faith in the direction of your purpose? In pursuit of your calling?
Now some of us may be risk-adverse. Some of us may be too anxious about our potential failure or have too much anxiety about the unknown to take a step or multiple steps into the future. Comfort in what we know feels safe. Moving out of or away from that comfort creates too many fears, anxieties, and potentially uncontrollable variables. Being risk-adverse can be a good thing.
This week, I met a man named J. He was interviewing for a position and during our meeting he referred to himself as “risk-adverse.” Normally, if someone were to describe themselves as risk-adverse, I am concerned. I want to work with people who are curious about other options, pursue creative problem solving, and willing to explore new ways to do business. Someone who is risk-adverse is typically regimented, believes that “we’ve always done it this way” is ALWAYS an appropriate answer, and is never interested in hearing other options to solve problems. Risk-adverse tends to mean, we won’t try. For J and the role he is applying to, being risk-adverse can be a good thing. That quality balanced with an open mind and willingness to learn will truly bless our organization. Unfortunately, if you are only risk-adverse, you inherently risk missing out the life that God wants for you. Let me explain.
Do you know the story of Jesus walking on the water? Often times when we recall this story, we remember that during a storm, Jesus left the boat where his disciples were. When the disciples became aware that he was no longer in the boat, they looked out on the water and saw Jesus standing. They looked in fear and began to shout, “It’s a ghost.” Jesus comforted them and said, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” Peter spoke up and said, “Lord, if it is you, tell me to come out on to the water.” Jesus replied, “Come.” Peter stepped out of the boat and began to walk on the water. As he took a few more steps, he took his eyes off of Christ, noticing the wind and rough waters. He slowly began to sink. He yelled, “Lord save me.” Jesus came to him, grabbing him out of the water and said, “Ye of little faith. Why did you doubt me?” Lets stop here for a minute.
When we read this story, we tend to think of Peter as a failure. We see that Peter stepped out on faith and then all of the sudden, he gives up. He stops believing. He punks out. He punks out on Jesus. What the? The funny thing is, we tend to never consider the punks that were sitting in the boat talking smack on Peter and telling him he was crazy for getting out on the boat. There were 11 other people in this story and we never talk about them. We only talk about Jesus, Peter, and Peter’s failure. Why is that? Maybe its because at our core, we’d rather be chilling in the boat that walking on the water.
Peter is the hero in this story! He is the risk taker. He is the one, who if only for a moment, allows his faith in Christ to dictate his walk. For a moment, he abandoned his fears and intently followed Christ. Now granted, Peter took his eyes off Christ and then began to drown (you should start running around your kitchen table right now and shouting all over your house while reading this cause you know where I am going with this). But how many times have you done that? How many times have you taken your eyes off of Christ, loosened His grip on you and your grip on His word and began to drown? Yet and still the Lord has been good to you and you are still here. Still breathing. Still swimming. And about to walk on the water with Christ.
John Ortberg, author “If you want to walk on water, you’ve got to get out of the boat,” says this about “water-walking:” “There is something — someone — inside us who tells us there is more to life than sitting in the boat. You were made for something more…There is something inside you that wants to walk on the water – to leave the comfort of routine existence and abandon yourself to the high adventure of following God.”
Water-walkers discern between foolishness and faith; get out of the boat; expect problems; accept fear as the price of growth; see failure as an opportunity to grow; learn to wait on the Lord; gain a deeper connection with God. If you refuse to get out of the boat, if you remain committed to being risk-adverse, you may never truly know all that God has for you.
I encourage you today to get out of the boat. One of my favorite songs, “If you say go” says, “If you say, step out on the water. And they say it can’t be done. I will fix my eyes on you and I will come.” Let the naysayers stay in the boat friends. I’d rather be a Peter drowning than a disciple cowering.
Gina Watts is a former resident of Fayette County, now living in Columbus, Ohio. She serves multiple communities as an advocate, educator, and leader. Follow Gina on Twitter @professorgmarie.