“’Lord, if it’s you,’” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came to Jesus (Matthew 14:28-29).

It is never an easy thing when Jesus summons us. If answering the call was easy everyone would do it, but there is always something to consider before doing so.

Often the task at hand looks impossible or the way forward is uncertain. Many times when Jesus summons it costs us something.

For Peter all three of these were in play. Walking on water is impossible without God’s help. How does one even do that anyway? Oh, and did Jesus forget that there was a massive storm happening? Getting out of the boat during a major storm doesn’t exactly qualify as a life-preserving measure. 

But Jesus summoned and Peter, acting out of faith and obedience, answered the call.

What happened next is quite miraculous: an ordinary man walked on water. Sure, Jesus can do it; He’s Jesus! But Peter was not the Son of God. He was a person just like you and me. 

When Jesus summons and we respond in faith, anything can happen. Are we guaranteed a miracle? No. Even when they do happen there’s no guarantee they’ll be repeated, but what we are assured is far better: 

“So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus” (14:29).

When we respond to the call of God we can rest assured that God will be with us. We often forget that before Peter began to sink he came to Jesus, who was already out on the open ocean, already doing what He summoned Peter to do. 

Is God leading you into a new season of life? Calling you to take up a new profession? To move to a new city? To begin making new friends? 

Whatever you might be called to do in this season of life you can rest assured that no matter how scary the proposition, He will be with you throughout the journey.

Does that mean that it’ll all be smooth sailing? No. Remember, Peter began to sink after he was with Jesus. Even when the Lord is with us circumstances have a way of getting us to fear.

Even when you’re sinking God will pull you out of the water, and being rescued by God amid our greatest fears does more to strengthen our trust in Him than anything else could. It is a marvelous thing to have your faith tested and see God come through.

But for that to happen we first have to get out of the boat. We have to answer the Lord’s call, walk on water, and face whatever storms ensue. In the end it will all be worth it, because God will be with us. 

When Jesus summons, will you answer?

Answering God’s call can take on many forms, but often, it starts with simple obedience. Has God given you a nudge recently that you have yet to respond to, like starting a new book, volunteering in a new role, introducing yourself to a new neighbor, or apologizing to a coworker? If so, what is holding you back?