This morning, my reading took me to a story I’ve heard plenty of times, the one in Matthew 14:22–36 where Peter steps out of the boat and actually walks on water.
In a nutshell, here’s what happened:
The disciples are out in the middle of the lake, the wind’s going wild, and suddenly Jesus comes walking toward them on the water. Peter says, “If it’s really you, tell me to come.” Jesus says, “Come.” And Peter steps out, literally walking on the water, until the waves and wind start looking a little too real. Doubt creeps in, he sinks, and Jesus pulls him back up.
Here’s my take on this:
So many times in life, opportunities are staring me right in the face, but I’ve passed them up or put them in the back burner, not because they weren’t good, but because I second-guessed myself. Sometimes it’s doubt. Sometimes I tell myself I don’t have time. Sometimes I think maybe there’s something better waiting. And if I’m honest, sometimes it’s just that I’m worried about what other people might think if I actually went for it.
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And here’s the thing and it’s a big thing and one that I catch myself doing too often, worrying about what other people think is one of the best ways to stay stuck in the boat. We get so hung up on this, whether it’s a spouse, a family member or relative, a friend, it even a co-worker. This topic should probably be saved for another blog post… So let’s move on.
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What this story reminds me:
There’s never going to be a “perfect” time.
You almost never feel fully ready before you start.
The voices in your head (and sometimes from other people) will always try to talk you out of it.
Failure isn’t the enemy, sitting still is.
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Maybe you’ve got something right now that’s been sitting in the back of your mind. A decision you’ve been putting off. A conversation you’ve avoided. An idea you’ve pushed aside because the timing, the money, or the confidence isn’t there yet.
The reality? That “perfect moment” you’re waiting for might never come. And the longer you stay in the boat, the easier it is to convince yourself that the leap isn’t worth it.
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My challenge for today:
Write down one thing you’ve been delaying. Then take one step, however small, toward it. Make the call. Do the research. Send the email. Whatever it is, just move.
Because the regret of wondering “what if” will always weigh more than the risk of finding out.
