“How many good, God loving people holdfast to the stance “Don’t Rock the Boat”? Too many, I fear, is the answer. “Don’t Rock the Boat” implies man’s complacency, at best, and surrender of faith in God, at worst.
The world we live in is plagued with misguided moorings in man’s will and ways. Honestly, I’m convinced God fearing Christians want no harbor in these human centered seas. However, man’s complacency in ignoring action that needs to be taken and silent surrender to riding out turbulence inside even a sinking ship, currently, prevails. Nevertheless, we need to ask ourselves if this is how God calls us to set our sails. I don’t think so. My being believes God created us not out of “Don’t Rock the Boat” material but rather out of the element of “Step Out of the Boat”.
“Don’t Rock the Boat” implies when we are in the midst of disaster, we choose to find safety by freezing in statuesque paralysis. We then keep our balance by holding our breath and trying not to move an inch. If lucky, we find ourselves propped up by attempting to retreat and lean into the timbers of a boat we don’t even want to be on board.
At times like this, we need to realize this is not our only course; nor is it God’s chosen route for us to take. God’s commanding choice for us is to keep our focus on Him and to “Step Out of the Boat”. Granted, it feels safer to shelter in place and stay in even a sinking ship over venturing into the unknown and risking we might drown in unchartered waters. Our shortcoming in this way of thinking is not that we might sink but rather that we don’t trust that God will keep us afloat. Actually, having the faith to step out into what is right, according to God, is the surest way to watch God prevent what is wrong. Why am I so sure of this? Scripture proclaims this, that’s why.
“…and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 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!’ Immediately, Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’ Matthew 14: 24 – 31 (NIV)
The fierce winds ceased, and peaceful seas triumphed only after Peter focused on Jesus and stepped out of the boat and toward Him. Yes, Peter got afraid (like we so often also do), but Christ grabbed hold of him (and He will us) and kept him (as He will us) from harm.
Next time we are petrified inside a battered boat, what choice will we make? I pray “Don’t Rock the Boat” is not even a passing thought. Instead, may we “Step Out of the Boat” knowing the hand of God (even if our faith wobbles) will catch us, uplift us, calm our storm and lead us into peaceful seas.
Uplifted in a Broken Down World 