Fear clenched their hearts. They had just witnessed Jesus miraculously feed 5000 people and were crossing the Sea of Galilee to reach their next destination. Jesus had stayed behind for some much-needed quiet time, and the disciples were expecting to meet Him on the other side of the sea. Now they were rowing for their lives against a fierce storm.

The Sea of Galilee was known for unknown storms popping up so the disciples shouldn’t have been surprised to find themselves once again in the eye of the storm. But nothing could prepare them for what they saw on the sea. With the waves whipping and lightning flashing, Jesus was walking on the water toward the boat! Everyone thought they were seeing a ghost.

Everyone but Peter.

Jesus called out to the men and told them not to be afraid. Peter was the only one to answer Jesus, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water” (Matthew 14:28).”

Jesus spoke one word, “Come.” And Peter didn’t hesitate to heed Jesus’ call and step out of the boat. Peter walked on water until he took his eyes off the prize. The natural world caught Peter’s attention. As he began to sink, Peter called out to Jesus to save him. Jesus did, and He also asked Peter why he doubted Jesus. Jesus had equipped Peter to walk on the water if Peter kept his focus on Jesus.

Do you hear the voice calling you?  The voice of Jesus calling you to “come” and step out of your boat. He’s calling you out of the comfortable spot you find yourself nestled happily in going about your life, and to trust and follow Him. He has an assignment for you that will require you to trust Him and to take His hand. But you must step out of the boat.

Your assignment may take you out of your comfort zone, and the assignment may be something you could never imagine. God gives ordinary people extraordinary tasks, tasks that we believe are beyond our capabilities and that we may be uncomfortable with. These tasks will stretch and challenge us so God can show us and others what He can do through each of us if we are willing to let Him work through us.

I have been called to do many things for the glory of God that I did not think I could do. My comfort zone has been stretched beyond my belief. But God’s power is shown greatest in my weakness and I can most assuredly tell you He used my weakness to show His mighty power. I’m reminded in 1 John 4:19 that “all obedience and giftedness of calling is initiated by a divine love.” Because God loves me so much, He wants me to step-up into the life He is calling me to live and He empowered me to do so. I was called to write and teach for Him, and He gave me the skills I need to accomplish this assignment for Him.

Everyone who accepts Jesus as Savior is given a spiritual gift to use for His Kingdom. In 1 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul gives us an idea of what spiritual gifts the Lord gives to us. This is not an all-inclusive list because we cannot put limits on a limitless God. He can do whatever His holy heart desires. Look at this passage and see if you find your calling:

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and still to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to EACH ONE, JUST AS HE DETERMINES. (1 Corinthians 12:7-11, emphasis mine)

A little further in the same chapter, Paul explains more:

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:27-31)

Did you find your spiritual gift on either list? Do you even know what your gift is? If you do know what your gift is, how are you using your gift to glorify God? 

Paul explicitly tells us that each of us is given a gift and we won’t necessarily have all these gifts, but they are available as He chooses to give them to us, and anyone can operate in any of them at any time. We have the gift that God wants us to have when He wants us to have. Before, I would not have said I have a gift of healing. But Jesus has given us the authority over every aspect of our lives. I’ve laid hands on someone and seen them healed from a situation that was deemed hopeless. I didn’t heal this person; I called on the power of Jesus to heal this person and he was healed.

Will the gift you currently have be the only gift God gives to you? I can’t tell you for sure. As we grow in our faith and prove that we are trustworthy of the gifts that God has already given to us, we may receive more gifts. The one thing I do know is that you can never place God in a box and say that He always does something, or He never does something. God can do whatever His holy heart wants to ensure His will is done.

Are you having trouble identifying your gift? Spend time in prayer with God and He will let you know what your gift is. Ultimately, your gift is your assignment and what Jesus is calling you to do for His glory.

Before we can step out into the world and accomplish your assignment, you must do one thing.

STEP OUT OF THE BOAT!

The waters may be frightening, and you may not know exactly what you are supposed to do, but Jesus is there to take your hand and walk you through the process. He won’t ask you to do something that He hasn’t equipped you to do. Hebrews 13:21 confirms that He equips us, “[He will] equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Today, I urge you to take the first step. Step out of the boat and keep your eyes focused on Jesus.