A year or so has passed and it is humbling to see how God, by His grace and mercy, has been and still faithful to transform me from one level to another. Oh, btw, have I mentioned that I actually started my first semester in Bible School last year? Around November. Well, that was the second "stepping out" I've done .
I guess I should backtrack a lil bit. I owe you, guys, that at the least. Haha.
Remember my last entry? (Well, you can always turn the page backwards) I specifically and wholeheartedly stated my sincere opinion about Bible School. I didn't want to go even if I knew God was confirming it Word after Word. Not knowing few months after how sorry I would be. I tell you, it's one thing to be told that you shouldn't grieve the Spirit and it's another to know it for yourself. You'll be kneeling and crying for forgiveness before the Lord in a millisecond once you realize what you've done. One lesson I've learned is that learn to submit whenever the Lord speaks. Be like Samuel who said, "Here I am. Speak for your servant hears."
But unlike Samuel who was courageous enough to say, Here I am, I wasn't. It wasn't like you always hear a voice who'll call out your name in the middle of your sleep. It won't be natural to speak back to something or someone you don't see as well. You get the picture? In short, I was afraid to talk back when I heard the Lord called me. Was it even the Lord or was I just imagining it? Those were the normal questions you'd ask. Now, it wasn't until God warned me gazillion times, " Do not harden you heart." that I finally heeded to His voice. That was my first "stepping out of the boat" scene. I stepped because He said so. Sounded so easy. Hah.
And there goes the waiting. Oh, the wonders of waiting. I know you know what I mean.
So, let's say you're Peter. God calls you to come out of the boat, extending His hand, and you followed. With trembling feet and faith, you stood afloat the crashing waves of the wide blue ocean. You can see the vastness of the water before you as far as your eyes can reach. Now what? Do you start walking? Do you test the waters first? Do you stay standing? Or perhaps, go back to the boat for safety? Bottom line, guys, is go back to His Word. He said come. Come to Him. You continue moving until you cone face to face with Him.
The problem with us ,Christians, is we tend to overthink things when God commands us to do even the simplest thing. We're prone to the 'whys and ifs' of life that later on hinders us from standing on His promises. And this is one of those things I've learned while waiting upon the Lord. When you wait, you go back to His promises and hold unto it.
Peter was asked to come towards Jesus. He extended His hand for emphasis. That's what we have to take note at all times. Never lose sight of His hands. Never. Because if you do, you'll panic and eventually get lost. Peter sank because He lose sight of Him. He looked at the troubled waters and panicked. Remember that God is the strength of our hearts. If, even for one second, you look sidewards, you will see how fearsome it is out there. Do not let go of the very strength that pulls you together.
Unlike when you're about to stop on the road, the traffic light doesn't signal us with an orange light when you're about to "Go." You just gear up and prepare for the green light and fly away. It is thrilling for me and at the same time, triggers my temper. I want to know, as much as possible, what's going on around me or be aware of every single step I have to take when asked to do a task. I don't wanna be left hanging and assuming what to do next. So when God asked me to wait for His "go" signal, there was much pruning that I had to go through before He did so. I had to learn the patience of waiting and blessed indeed are those who does.
If God, probably, asked me to Go the first semester for school year 2016, I assure you, things would've been pretty messy. At work, at home, at school, and my spiritual growth. He has made every thing beautiful in His time. God will never ask you launch into the deep unless He knows you've prepared enough for what is to come.
Second "stepping out of the boat" scene was when I finally entered the school by faith. The enemy will confuse you even at the very end of the race. You will start asking, am I on the right track? Is this where I should be? As what my dearest discipler would always say, "What is God telling you? Go back to His Word." And mind you, if the enemy is working behind you, so as God. Double-time. Greater is He who lives in us than he who is in the world, aye?
When you ask something from God just as what James said in James 1: 6-8, "..let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." Believe that He is the finisher of our faith. And He is merciful enough to encourage you when you're still in doubt. But do not exaggerate.
At present time, God just said another boat will have to be left empty. There is another boat waiting for me to steer. Something big to carry the fishes I'll catch from the deep.
I stepped out for the third time the moment I sent the resignation letter that weighed so much on my hands. It took me a great deal not to snatch it away from my boss' desk. I abandoned the what ifs and believed that God will show that He is Jehovah Jireh for a reason. I'm on a new season and I'm gearing up myself for the massive changes that'll take place in the next few months.
Now what are your 'stepping out of the boat' moments? You probably haven't done it yet but you know God has been waiting for you to do it for quite some time now. One advice ,my dear: STEP OUT IN FAITH. You will never see His power and glory unless you abandon yourself and starting trusting the finisher of our faith. His Word will never return void. Take up your cross and follow Him.
