Get Out of the Boat
- Cathrine Schmelzer
- Jan 12
- 4 min read
“Don’t leave your comfort zone for a danger zone. Know who you're following, by knowing God’s voice.”
‘And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.’ (Matthew 14:28-29, ESV)
There are many voices vying for our attention. The same is true for our kids, too, so as moms, we need to set the example for how to discern who we follow.
There are influencers in the form of affiliate links and viral videos with each swipe, but as mama bears defending our den, we must rise above the hype, fix our eyes on Jesus, and listen for His voice above the noise. Then, when we are sure it's Him, we can get out of the boat, leave our comfort zone, and follow Him as our children follow us.
Don’t leave your comfort zone for a danger zone. Know who you're following, by knowing God’s voice. And the best way to know His voice is to read His Word and spend time with Him daily.
Get out of the boat…yes, but do it for Christ alone.
I love that Peter asks… “Lord, if it’s you, command me to come to you on the water…” And then he waited on the Lord’s response. Jesus said, “Come.” THEN Peter got out of the boat.
How many times do we just assume we are hearing the voice of God, when really we are just being influenced by the ways of the world… The latest craze, a popular phrase, things that put us on rabbit trails for most of our day?
My encouragement for you, sweet mama, set the example for your kids. Make time in God's Word more important than time online. Prioritize your relationship with Jesus, so your priorities don't get out of line. Learn to listen to His voice as you get to know it more intimately in your personal relationship with Him.
As you learn to listen to Him, you will be better able to discern what it is He wants you to do. Ask Him questions, confirm your calling, and lead your kids out of the boat with you – out of your comfort zone, out of the danger zone, and into the arms of Christ alone!
Faith Follow-Through:
This week, take some time to grow in motherhood and faith:
Monday:
Some personal reflection questions you can ask yourself today:
What am I doing to show my kids how to keep their eyes on Jesus?
What daily spiritual disciplines are they seeing me walk out?
Am I having conversations with my children about the other voices vying for their attention?
What practical things am I encouraging them to do to discern truth from lies?
Today, simply ponder these questions. This week, we will look more into practical ways we can step out of the boat and still stay in His presence.
Tuesday:
Today, let's think about the word comfort. God offers comfort for us, so why is it a bad thing to stay in a place where we're comfortable? Remember our verse from last week? Let’s re-read it.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5, ESV)
A godly comfort is not a bad thing, but comfort when it comes to complacency, is. We can become comfortable in our idleness or laziness, and start to stray away from God altogether. We can recognize when we are drifting away by the fact that when we hear His voice, we don't recognize it as quickly.
What is a practical way today you can seek God's comfort over the world's comfort? How do you focus on a spiritual comfort and confidence that comes from your identity in Christ over a worldly comfort and insecurity that you need material things to bring you peace?
Wednesday:
Today let's worship the God of all comfort, knowing that He calls us out of our comfort zones to walk more closely and intimately with Him.
Listen to this oldie (but goodie) by Britt Nicole, Walk on Water, and be encouraged today.
Thursday:
Let's pray this prayer together today as we continue to step out of our comfort zone and into His arms of love…
Father, thank You for calling us out of the boat, just as You called Peter out of the boat. Thank You for taking the time to answer the questions Peter had, and thank You for taking time and being patient with the questions we have. Continue to confirm Your voice of truth in our lives over the lies of the enemy through the ways of this world. Let us not find comfort in taking the easy way out, and relying on others to give us a watered down version of Your truth. Help us to have a hunger and thirst and desire for the very Bread of Life and Living Water — Jesus Christ, our only hope! Help us live this out today in front of our children, and help us always bring glory and honor to Your name by the way we live our life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Written by Tabitha, mom of 4 boys
