Comfort can be truly addictive. So much so that the Swiss Theologian Karl Barth once said, “Comfort is one of the great siren calls of our present age.” And I think he is pointing to the fact that the ease and stability of comfort can be alluring, almost all-consuming.
With almost a narcotic effect, we experience little or no fear in comfortable settings, for all our needs are being met. But sometimes we must be willing to forego the comfort and certainty of our current lives, to progress towards new stages of growth.
Take the turtle for instance. It can only make progress to get from point A to B when it stretches out its neck to move. In other words, it must take a risk against its own safety. Similarly, in following God’s biblical truth, we must at times take risks when we can’t see where the road is taking us. Hence, we must take the risk and trust in God’s provision and promise.
Just after Jesus performed the miracle of feeding 5,000, he retires into solitude away from his disciples in Matthew 14. After a period of personal reflection, he rejoins them by walking to them upon the Sea of Galilee. Immediately the disciples are stricken with fear, believing Christ to be a ghost. But Peter recognizes Jesus, and he alone requests to come upon the face of the water with Him. Christ grants Peter’s petition as his faith initially allows him to get out of the boat. However, the turbulence of the water and wind quickly makes Peter fearful, causing his gaze to no longer rest upon Christ.
Fortunately, Jesus rescues Peter from the storm, and questions why did you doubt?” What is it that made Peter initially throw caution to the wind, and step out of the boat? And what caused him to waver? Similarly, why do we waver in our faith when tough times occur? Not unlike many of us, Peter is initially focused on faithful commitment to God’s commands and promises. But due to daily life circumstances (represented by the winds and billowing seas), our faith wanes and we begin to sink, just like Peter.
Now some routinely point to Peter’s limited faith in dealing with his fears of the inclement weather. However, it is important to keep in mind, Peter is the only disciple to get out of the boat. And while it’s easy to paint him negatively as one lacking sustaining faith, we must all remember the importance of taking that first step. A Chinese proverb says a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Merely getting out of the boat, that initial step of faith, is critical for our growth.
Consider one comfortable area in your life you have been thinking about making a change. It could be something as simple as an athlete trusting a teammate to make the big play; or committing to start a new YouTube channel; or a more significant change like a new job or deciding on a new place of worship. Whatever it is, commit to going through the process getting out of your boat of comfort.
- Identify the issue – What area of comfort are you have difficulty departing?
- Take counsel if needed – Seek the guidance of a trusted outside party.
- Act – Take action!! Even if you make initial progress and begin retreating, keep moving ahead.
- Stay committed – Don’t give up!! Be sure to see the activity through. Get out of that boat of comfort and commit to embarking on your new growth.
I recognize this will not be the easiest exercise to accomplish, but oftentimes we cannot open a new chapter in life, until a prior chapter closes. Therefore, in seeking change, carefully and faithfully place one foot in front of the other daily, to successfully “Get Out of the Boat.”