GET OUT OF THE BOAT – Are you ready? Are you willing?

FOLLOWING JESUS FROM THE EDGES

GET OUT OF THE BOAT

Pastor Calvin Cook

April 23, 2026

Scripture: Matthew 14:22–33

There are moments in life when Jesus doesn’t just call us to believe…He calls us to step. Most of those steps are not comfortable because it makes us uncomfortable many times to our standards and the world standards. We give in and stay in the boat.

The devotionals the last few days have caused me to think a lot about the disciple Peter, and at the same time compare my life and situations to Peters’.

Peter knew what it meant to follow Jesus. He had already left nets behind. He had already said yes to the call. But one night on the water, Jesus asked something deeper—not just for Peter to follow… but to trust.

The disciples were in the boat, fighting the wind and waves. It was dark. It was uncertain. And then they saw Him—Jesus—walking on the water. Not beside them. Not calming the storm yet. But coming toward them in the middle of it. Peter, in that bold, raw, unfiltered faith that defined him, said, “Lord, if it’s You, tell me to come to You on the water.”

And Jesus said one word: “Come.”

That’s all it took. And Peter stepped out of the boat. Think about that moment. One foot over the edge. The boat rocking beneath him. The waves slapping at his feet. The unknown and unexpected before him.

And yet… for a moment… he walked.

Not because the storm stopped. Not because the water became solid. But because his eyes were fixed on Jesus.

That’s how faith works. But we also know the rest of the story.

The wind picked up. The waves reminded him of reality. Fear crept in. And Peter began to sink. Not all at once, just enough to know he couldn’t do this on his own. And in that moment, Peter prayed one of the most honest prayers in Scripture:

“Lord, save me!”

Immediately—Jesus reached out His hand. Not after a lecture. Not after disappointment. Immediately. !

Now let’s be honest with ourselves. Most of us live on that same boat. It is a boat that has become familiar. It feels safe. It feels like what we can control and deal with. But that boat is where we have grown stagnate. Settled in for the ride. Even distanced ourself from God.

And at some point, if you’re following Jesus, you will hear His voice calling you beyond what feels safe. “Come.”

So the question is:  What boat are you being called out of?

Is it fear that’s been holding you back? Is it a bad relationship? Oppression? An addiction? A routine that’s become too comfortable? A calling you’ve been avoiding? A step of obedience you keep delaying?

The truth of it is we have accepted disappointment of our sins instead of seeking forgiveness. We have stayed in despair instead of seeking redemption. We believe what evil is speaking into our lives telling us we are not worthy we can never do better.

The boat looks different for each of us… but the call is the same. The call is simply “Come”!

Peter was the only one on the boat who chose to step out of the boat. Yes, he sank but he was also the one willing to step out. The others stayed safe… but they never left the boat.

And maybe that’s where you are today. You believe in Jesus. You’re in the boat with Him. But you know… deep down… He’s calling you to more.

Not more comfort. More trust.

Not more control. More surrender.

What is Jesus asking you to step out of right now? Whatever it is, it is for your own good. It is for your soul.  What fear is keeping you in the boat? Is that fear worth it? What would it look like to fix your eyes on Him again?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I hear Your voice calling me beyond what feels safe and comfortable. Give me the courage to step out in faith. When fear rises and I begin to sink, remind me that Your hand is already reaching for me. Teach me to trust You—not just in the boat, but in the storm. I choose to come. Amen.

Closing Thought:

Please don’t wait for the perfect time to step out in faith. Quit trying to fix things. You don’t have to have perfect faith to step out of the boat—you just have to be willing to surrender and allow Jesus to change your life.