WHAT'S YOUR BOAT?

Saturday, November 15, 2008

If you want to walk on the water, you’ve got to get out of the boat.

I believe 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 than merely avoiding failure. 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.

So let me ask you a very important question: What’s your boat?

Your boat is whatever represents safety and security to you apart from God himself. Your boat is whatever you are tempted to put your trust in, especially when life gets a little stormy.

Want to know what your boat is? Your fear will tell you. For Kathy, it is a relationship, for Doug it is secrecy, for David it is his vocation. Kim’s boat is her dad. Maybe your boat is success.

In what area of your life are you shrinking back from fully and courageously trusting God? Fear will tell you what your boat is. Leaving it will be the hardest thing you ever do.

But if you want to walk on water, you’ve got to get out of the boat.

(Adapted from John Ortberg’s excellent book, If You Want To Walk On Water, You’ve Got To Get Out Of The Boat)

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very good advice from a wise man.
Love,
Charlotte

SmilingSally said...

I don't know what my boat is; hmmm, maybe my feet are already wet!

Anonymous said...

Praying we all walk by FAITH, keeping our eyes on JESUS. Thanks for sharing, encouraged me in my Lord.
Blessings-

michelle said...

I want to get out of the boat!!!

God Chaser said...

Much to ponder here. Thanks for raising the question.

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

I'm reading to get off the boat!!
Thank-you for your post it will make me think!
Ginger

Amanda said...

God is leading my husband and I to get out of our boat and start a medical ministry at our church. We have already met with the pastor...I'm so excited, but I have got to keep my eyes glued to Him because the waves are rough and the sea is deep!

God bless you.

Amanda said...

God is leading my husband and I to get out of our boat and start a medical ministry at our church. We have already met with the pastor...I'm so excited, but I have got to keep my eyes glued to Him because the waves are rough and the sea is deep!

God bless you.

Ruthie said...

What a great post - especially in these troubled times in our world.
Thanks for sharing that.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for this post, Clif. It never hurts to be reminded that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us but, like the disciples, we have to follow.

Cherdecor said...

Today is a big day for us. We are taking some steps to get out of the boat. We will see what happens!

I LOVE this post! It reminds me of a song:

Step into the water
Wade out a little bit deeper
Wet your feet in the water of His love
Step into the water
Wade out a little bit deeper
Come join angels singing praises to the Lamb of God

Kathi~Lavender, Lace and Thyme said...

Good Morning Clif :)

I like this a lot! What if I have more than one boat? ;) what if my boat changes when my boat gets a hole in it? I always want my boat to be Christ but sometimes it sneaks up and changes on me....great post!

Have an awesome Sonday!
Blessings,
Kathi :)

Amanda said...

Wow!! You preached in Ethiopia! What a blessing. I don't know down the road what God has in store for me, and for now, I believe my mission field is here in the US, but oh how I love the people of the world. I especially have a heart for Africa and Latin America. I was able to take a short term mission trip in 2006 to Honduras which only whetted an already insatiable appetite for missions. I suppose one of the reasons I love blogging so much is because I feel I can share my Jesus with the whole world right NOW!!

God bless you pastor Clif. I have added you to my blogroll as I am honored that you read my blog and I want to keep up with yours. I love to sit at the feet of teachers of the Lord and just absorb what God has shown them over the years.

May God richly bless you and your ministry all the rest of your days.

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hi Clif,
You gave us much to ponder. May we all be 'water walkers'.
Thanks for sharing.

Blessings,
Sandi

Wanita said...

Getting the courage to step out of the boat is the hardest part: but when I do, I'm always blessed. Thanks for the reminder to "get my feet wet."

Blessings,
Wanita

nannykim said...

Good point; I guess I agree with Kathy from Lavender something--we sometimes just change our boats, don't we?

Cora from Hidden Riches said...

Strange how my mind started racing to find the answer to the question of "what is my boat?"! Now I want to read the book!!!!! I think my boat is way too comfortable, as I've been there for a long time! Thanks so much for this post!

Cora

Carrie Garvin said...

I enjoyed this post~ much to think about~ lovely music too.

Joyfulsister said...

HMMM..I think I jumped out of my boat, and said Lord.. here I come lol. It took awhile but I did it. I think I stayed too long on the boat, just felt more at ease dangling my feet in the water..but amen the jump out of it was
so refreshing and liberating!!
Thanks for this wonderful post Pastor Clif. you always bless me.

Hugz Lorie

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

I think I got out of the boat, but sunk quickly!

Thanks for reading my LONG message! I'm glad I didn't have to type it!! I don't usually read real long posts either, but sometimes have to make an exception.

Katherine

Ms.Daisy said...

I attended a meeting at our church tonight and we are going to be getting involved with an organization called "Angel Tree" which gives Christmas gifts, time, talent and sharing the gospel with children of people in prison. I've never done anything like this before, I'm going to be getting out of the boat!

Kelly said...

I love this post. It really is thought provoking and I will be pondering this the rest of this day. Thanks, Clif.

Kelly said...

I love this post. It really is thought provoking and I will be pondering this the rest of this day. Thanks, Clif.