Step Out Of The Boat

     When did you last "step out of the boat?"  
     As I was reading Joel Osteen's devotional on why Peter wanted to step out of the boat, I was reminded of a story I once read about a man who had  driven to the grocery store to get milk, but on the way home he was compelled to turn onto a street he had never traveled, and something was nudging him to stop at a house in which he knew nothing about the people living there.  He argued with God and passed by the house only to return to finally knock on the door with his jug of milk in hand.  He was met by a lady in tears because she had no money to purchase milk for her baby. 
     Can you imagine how foolish this man must have felt as he knocked on a stranger's door to ask if they needed milk?
    In Osteen's devotional he explained that Peter believed, at that moment, that he could do what God placed in his heart.  Peter had faith enough to be bold.  He could walk on water!  In Osteen's devotional he was making the point that we need a positive attitude of faith to believe that we can do great things.
     My point is that if we strive to listen to the quiet nudging of God, we can have the boldness to step out of our comfort zone to obey and follow God's direction.  Yes, we may feel foolish, but what if we actually helped someone in need? 

“And Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ He said, ‘Come!’ So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and he came toward Jesus.”
(Matthew 14:28–29, AMP)