hey, it’s okay for belief in God to be hard. that’s the point.

On the eve of another adventure in the name of bringing God’s light to others, I am swimming against the current of anxiety. Because stepping out of the boat toward Him continues to be so far out of my nature. Just a shy, introverted, homebody over here being called to teach to hundreds in new places I have never been.

However, I am once again reminded of my first scriptural kindred spirit, Peter. He never describes his experience walking on water as fun, easy, and natural. We only know that he desired to be where Christ was, he accepted Christ’s invitation to join Him on the water and became fearful when he looked at the waves that were swelling around him as he walked. His desire and love of Christ didn’t change the fact Christ’s invitation to join Him was completely ridiculous by worldly standards. Storms swirled, and anxiety swelled.

And yet.

Peter still showed up.

He still followed His friend and Savior into an improbable situation. By the end, because he showed up, believed, and put in effort, he must have understood two things with greater clarity than ever before.

#1 - My God isn’t just powerful for himself. He empowers me to do and follow wherever he calls.

#2 - He will never call me somewhere He cannot reach out, hold me up, and sustain me through with His strength. If I am with Him, I never need to fear drowning.

Most of Christ’s invitations to us follow these patterns. If it were easy, it wouldn’t be faith. If it was natural, it wouldn’t transform. So settle into the discomfort because our God is a God of Miracles. And miracles happen where the impossible stands. It takes courage to keep believing. It takes bravery to keep stepping out of the boat. Faith is hard. And that is more than okay. Just remember who you are walking towards. And focus on Him.

“When the Lord sees even a spark of desire or a flicker of righteous effort in our willingness to center our lives on Him… He will bless us, in His perfect way, with the miracles and tender mercies we need.” - Ulisses Soares