Oceans

The song "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" by Hillsong United has become a widely popular worship song. Christians worldwide have been inspired to pray for a "trust without borders." This is, without a doubt, one of the most dangerous prayers I have ever prayed. But it has also proved to be one of the most liberating.

In my first post, I introduced the similarity between Peter's experience of walking on water and my own story. Peter took his first step out of the boat with the faith that Jesus wouldn't let him sink to rock-bottom. But when the fear that the storm would send him to rock-bottom crept into his mind, he didn't want to doubt the storm's power. So he confirmed it by looking around at the storm. But in looking around at the storm, he doubted Jesus' ability and deprived himself of the peaceful assurance that Jesus would carry him through the storm. Peter's desire to envision the worst-case scenario began to bring about the worst-case scenario. BUT JESUS STILL CAME THROUGH. After Jesus had proven Himself to Peter countless times, Peter still doubted. Even then, Jesus still answered his cry for help.

Peter's intention when he stepped out in faith was not to be put in danger. Essentially, he put himself in danger by taking his eyes off Jesus. But Peter's experience outside of the boat, no doubt, lessened any doubt of Jesus possibly failing him.

When Jesus called me out of my literal comfort zone into one of pain, I didn't really have a choice but to leave my comfort zone, unlike Peter. My opportunity to choose came with my response to pain. I could be like Peter and be overwhelmed by the trouble surrounding me, or I could get so wrapped up in the presence of Jesus that I forget my unfavorable circumstances. Throughout my journey, I have taken both of these routes, with the first choice occurring more frequently. But no matter what I have chosen as my response, Jesus will always come through in His unending faithfulness.

"The great unknown, where feet may fail" is the place of complete dependence on and intimacy with Jesus. Although my step out of the boat brings me closer to the storm, it also brings me closer to Jesus, which is His intention in calling me out upon the waters.

The turning point of my prayer life occurred after hearing this statement: "Sometimes we ask God for a life vest when He wants us to walk on water." Instead of praying for God to meet MY need in MY timing, I began to pray that He would have His way in the situation. And "His way" consisted of my continual growth in my trust in Him, "where my trust is without borders."

One Step, One Life Change

It only takes one step to change your life forever. Enoch's first step toward God prevented him from experiencing death's sting (Genesis 5:24). Paul's first step on the road to Damascus condemned him to temporary blindness and permanent life change (Acts 9:1-18). My first step of the day on September 12, 2010 changed my life.

I woke up that morning carefree, content, excited about attending church that morning. The first step I took on my left foot made me hit the ground--and reality--hard. All of a sudden, I had developed a sharp pain in my left heel that threw me off-balance with any added pressure. This would be the beginning of nearly four years of pain.

I don't know when exactly I developed the condition, especially since the symptoms appeared overnight. I only know that since that first step, I have not been the same. My purpose in writing a blog is to express the life lessons I have learned since that one step. I have found that the best way to cope with hard times is to learn from them. So by writing about the lessons I've learned, I am reminding myself that God has a purpose for each situation in life.

There is another important step in the Bible that I have yet to mention. Peter's walk from the boat to Jesus exhibits much of what I have experienced on my own journey.Had Peter not taken that first step out of the boat, he never would have known the depths of Jesus' care and faithfulness. His story is my story.