For Peter to go to
where Jesus was, he had to get out of the boat and literally step on the water.
He had to stand ON the water to be able to walk on it.*
I have studied and preached on this story of Peter several
times already. Each time, a new understanding of faith is unfolded and a deeper
knowledge of God is gained.
Stepping out in faith is one of my favourite topics. But not
until last year did I realize that I just tested it in calculated proportions. And
so, I took a leap out of the boat.
Last year, I was convinced by my friend to take Law classes.
This idea had been hovering me for quite sometime already, about eight years in
counting. What was stopping me was my financial incapacity, my ministry and my
feeling of inadequacy when it comes to the academic demands of the course.
So I brewed the idea in prayer for a year.
I have also known that things don’t just ‘fall into place’. For
the Israelites to be able to live in the promised land, they had to keep moving
in obedience until they get to the place God prepared for them.
My leap of faith started when I registered to take the
PhilSat. It is the national Law School admission exam. From there, God
confirmed that this was the way to go when He helped me pass the exam.
Tuition fees are another story. I get a decent salary as a
staff of the Bible School but it is clearly not sufficient to send me to
school. So, for the past year that I was praying about it, I starting
calculating how much I would save each month to set aside for the tuition fees.
I also mentally noted down the areas of my spending that I need to cut down,
including food, so I can come up with the amount needed to pay for my
education.
I took another exam in the university and an interview with
the dean before I was accepted in the School of Law. There was no doubt this
was God’s plan for me this season of my life. I am entering my seventh year in
the ministry and somehow I already mastered, to a certain degree, the routines
of the ‘job’. My position as college registrar and our challenges in implementing the Disciplinary sanctions most times need an understanding of the laws of the land. I took this leap, far from my comfort zone, because I have the convinction that God is leading me through this path, in this season.
On the first day of class, I was floored by how God IS God! I found out that I was granted a scholarship that will cover 75% of my tuition fee. I did not apply for it. I did not even know there was a scholarship grant for Law students. It turned out I ranked 2nd of all the applicants and they give grants to the top 3 of Law school applicants. I cried happy tears.
I borrowed books. My work schedule is lighter that it was years ago. Another friend was used by God for more provisions. My family helped me set up my living arrangements. One after the other, God confirms that he wants me to walk on this water with Him.
I happened to talk to different people on separate occasions sharing with me their dreams and plans. I smiled at them and, with more conviction than ever, told them "Step out in faith".
Yes, calculations and preparations must be made. But, it is that act of faith of taking the first step toward a legitimate dream, goal, plan that will introduce you to another chapter of God's grace.
Peter stepped out of the boat, took a few wobbly steps on the water, sank at the sight of wind and was lifted out of it by the hands of the Master crafter of waves and winds. We will have our own stories of 'walking in faith'. But, none of us will ever feel like what it is to step on water like glass.
When Jesus calls you to walk with Him on the water, step out of the boat. Yours will be quite a story.
I'm still tiptoeing. Nevertheless, I am already on the water.
*Matthew 14:22-33
