Step Into The Water

I’ve stolen the title of this article from an old Southern Gospel song, Step Into The Water. I don’t remember it well. I only remember that my dad had a cassette tape he’d played at night to go to bed, which had that song recorded. That song emphasizes that we must be men and women of faith, unafraid to stand firm. I have to believe that the song’s authors were inspired by Joshua chapter three.

and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water. . .  the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away – Joshua 3:15-16

What happened here? It was time for Israel to cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land. Israel had been in a similar situation before. In Exodus, when they were leaving Egypt, a body of water – the Red Sea – stood between them and their destination. The LORD parted the waters for them, and they crossed. There’s a little difference in Joshua. The LORD wouldn’t part the waters of the Jordan for them until they stepped into the water. It’s a minor difference, but it was a fresh lesson that has repeatedly applied to my life.

Has the LORD ever prompted you to do something you knew you weren’t equipped for? You don’t possess the gifts that seem to be necessary for what is being asked. That is the story of my life. Before I was born again in May 1992, I was horribly afraid of speaking in front of people. But afterward, that fear evaporated. I still had to learn to speak effectively, but at least I wasn’t afraid. I’ve been a worship pastor since 2001. Before moving to Colorado in 1997, I’d never even heard of a worship pastor. Prior to becoming a worship pastor, I couldn’t play any instruments. But in the years that followed, and rather quickly, the LORD helped me learn guitar. I had never preached yet, but as opportunities slowly came, the LORD sharpened that skill. I can’t take credit for anything because at every point, when the LORD asked me to go and do, I didn’t possess the skills for the doing.

I had to step into the water before the LORD would part the waters for crossing.

When confronted by a multiple-choice situation, many of us get caught up in a kind of analysis paralysis. You want certainty that the LORD has opened a door. You want the Red Sea to part before you make your move. And look, sometimes, the LORD parts the sea to let you know this is the way. I think we have to admit that sometimes, that’s what He does. However, the longer I journey with the LORD, the less this has happened. The more common experience is taking a step in the faith, believing that the waters will part once I do.

Holy Spirit: Share this verse with that guy.

Me: I don’t know who that guy is.

Holy Spirit: Buy that guitar.

Me: I don’t know how to play guitar.

 Now, at forty-eight years old, I expect the LORD to ask me to do things I feel ill-equipped to do. The funny thing is that even with that expectation, the hesitation still happens. “I can’t do that. I’ve never been good at that. Are you sure?” That is my flesh protesting against the Spirit’s work. And even knowing that, there are times when I’m slow to respond to the LORD.

I know the drill. Step into the water.

That step is seldom comfortable. Even if I’m confident that the LORD will part them, the initial wading into the water is uneasy. The point isn’t to walk in comfort and ease, but in obedience. The common question is, “How do I know this is the right choice?” Answer: You don’t. That’s why it’s called faith. It’s not uninformed faith. You should do your homework. Test the spirits to see if they’re of God (1 John 4:1). And when you’ve done your diligence, and this choice passes all of the tests, the certainty you seek may still only come after a step of faith.

Even the prophet Jeremiah had at least one moment where he wasn’t sure what he was hearing was from the LORD. In Jeremiah 32:6-8, he got a word from the LORD that his cousin, Hanamel, would offer him a field for sale. Now, the difficult part is that this was during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. Who buys and sells real estate in the middle of a prolonged military operation against your city? So, yeah, he wasn’t sure if that was the word of the LORD or some random intrusive thought. When Hanamel showed up with an offer, it was then that he knew the word was from the LORD.

Point? Certainty doesn’t always come upfront.

What has the LORD prompted you to do that you haven’t done because you feel unequal to the task? Let me help you. It’s supposed to be that way. You’d deserve the credit if you could do it without His help. The LORD shares His glory with no one (Isaiah 42:8). He is glorified when, in your weakness, He makes you strong. His plan for your life is to use you in ways greater than the sum of your parts. Stop fretting over your ability. Start trusting His.

Step into the water.