Step Out to Find Out

“Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ ‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’ ‘Come,’ he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’” (Matthew 14:25–30)

When making a decision about something, it feels good to be certain — to know beyond the shadow of a doubt that the decision you’re making is the right one, the godly one.

The only problem is that walking by faith rarely feels certain. The Bible doesn’t contain many neatly arranged “how-to” sections.

In one of the most iconic Bible stories, Peter has a decision to make — step out or stay in.

He and the disciples had been fighting a storm for hours and when Jesus comes walking by, Peter still isn’t sure what to do. At first he was even convinced he was seeing a ghost, but eventually he decides to step out.

I don’t know how certain Peter was of his decision. I’m not sure you can be certain when your decision involves walking on water.

But that’s often the way you have to discover God’s will — not through the certainty of an outcome, but through confidence in God regardless of the outcome.

If you’re struggling with making a big decision right now or if you’re in a season of trying to determine God’s voice, many times you have to step out to find out.

Stepping out doesn’t guarantee success. It didn’t for Peter because within just a few steps he was sinking and had to be pulled from the waves by Jesus. But as long as you step in the right direction, towards Jesus, you’ll be close enough for Him to catch you regardless of what happens.