Eden #2

 Beach outreach 7- Aug 31 st 2024

We started our beach outreach with Samuel opening about his past and how his life has

changed because he put trust in Jesus. Later, Alexa shared a quote “God puts the best things in life on

the other side of fear.” It amazes me how God seems to give us daily themes at these beach outreaches.

While reflecting on this day I kept thinking of stepping out of the boat. Which was a topic that came up

in our fellowship time.

One of my favorite songs is a Casting Crowns song called “Voice of Truth” starts with

these lyrics:

Oh what I would do to have

The kind of faith it takes

To climb out of this boat I'm in

Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone

Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is

And He's holding out His hand

But the waves are calling out my name

And they laugh at me

Reminding me of all the times

I've tried before and failed

The waves they keep on telling me

Time and time again. "Boy, you'll never win!"

"You'll never win!"

The first verse and chorus of the song is a clear nod to the story of when Jesus called Peter

out of the boat to join him. If you are unfamiliar it is found in Matthew 14.

25  Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.  26  When the disciples

saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in

fear. 27  But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be

afraid.” 28  “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29  “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came

toward Jesus.  30  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried

out, “Lord, save me!” 31  Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of

little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Stepping out of your boat is hard! I have been in a season where I have

abandoned by boat. It took a LONG time. Years really and it’s only because I have

stepped out with others.

Prime example is what happened on the beach today. I was walking down the

beach with one of my friends Victor. We were talking and this lady comes to see what

the front of our shirts say. The back says ‘See front for good news!” The front says

‘Jesus Loves You.” She started talking to us and asking about our shirts. Victor took the

lead and I followed. We walked with her for I am sure 15 minutes down the beach. At

the end of our conversation we prayed for her. Then she prayed as well. It was a

beautiful moment. Many of us in Eden have stepped out of the boat this year and we

seen true life change as a group.

I used to be the person in this song that always wanted to step out more; but m

your your comfort zone is hard to give up. There is fear of failure. Sometimes others

affirm this fear, which doesn’t help! I have struggled with self-doubt most of my life. I

never feel good enough. The Bible reminds us that we are good enough and have been

chosen.

Psalm 139:14: "I will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

wonderful are your works; and that my soul knows it very well" 

Isaiah 43:3 “But now thus saith the LORD who created thee, O Jacob, and He that

formed thee, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed thee; I have called thee by

thy name; thou art Mine.”

Why are we nervous to step out of the boat? The Bible says 365 times “Do not

fear” yet we do it constantly! I think the unknown is scary!

The song then ends with these lyrics:

The waves they don't seem so high

On top of them lookin' down

I will soar with the wings of eagles

When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus

Singing over me

Isaiah 40:31 is one of my favorite verses that goes along with the last stance of this song.

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount

up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk,

and not faint". 

I just have one question. Have you stepped out of your boat and if not, what is

stopping you?