Jesus calls us to ‘be not afraid'

I recently spoke at a funeral for a man who loved to water ski. According to his family, he was the best at it. But there was one snag in his skiing ability: he didn't know how to swim.

Usually people who don't know how to swim get nervous taking showers. It's a contradiction for a non-swimmer to willingly jump into a lake to be pulled by a boat at 25 miles per hour. Yet water skiing and camping became the signature activity for this family, bringing them together. What would have happened to that family if his fear of not being able to swim kept him from the water completely?

Fear of the water could have kept him on the shore when all the while his kids needed him to be in the boat.

Fear is a powerful emotion. Fear can keep us from living more often that it keeps us alive. Usually fear is synonymous with something that is terrifying and can potentially bring great harm to us -- emotionally or physically. The logical person pays attention to the sense of fear that they have, listens to what that says and reacts accordingly. "I'm afraid I'll be rejected, so I will not speak to them." "What if I get hurt?" "I fear that I could drown, I better stay in the boat."

There was another man named Peter in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. There was a storm that caused all in the boat to be greatly afraid. Then when they looked out on the water there appeared to be someone out there, walking toward them.

The men in boat immediately concluded it was ghost. When the shape was closer, he identified himself as Jesus. Peter called out in great doubt, "If it's you, call me out there." Thinking the bluff would work, the words came back, "Come."

Here was a choice: Step out or step back. If you know the story, you know that Peter stepped out. For a few brief but glorious moments, he walked on the water.

But first, he got out of the boat.

Fear and doubt will keep you in the boat. Fear will keep you from following what God has called you to. Fear will keep you from loving deeply. Fear can keep you from living.

It's no wonder Jesus said again and again, "Be not afraid."

Rob Hurtgen is a husband, father, minister and writer. Read more from him atrobhurtgen.wordpress.com.