Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am with you. Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Matthew 14: 28-29
What’s Provoking You?
Have you ever had an experience that provoked you? Like the time your spouse forgot to pick up eggs at the store, and they were the main ingredient for dinner. Maybe it showed up like an overwhelming fear that made you change your plans or a moving presentation that inspired you to volunteer your time. In reality, we make very few decisions because of logistics or necessity. It is often people or situations outside our control that draw a response and provoke us to action.
From Stormy Nightmare to Walking on the Water
Peter and the disciples were on a boat heading across the lake. After a long day of ministry, Jesus had sent them on ahead while He stayed behind to dismiss the crowds and pray. The directive was simple: Go to the other side, and I will meet you there. The plan seemed easy enough. Maybe the disciples were relieved that Jesus took the unenviable role of getting the people to leave while they took a relaxing ride in the boat. (Matthew 14:22-33)
It didn’t take long for the trek across the lake to go from a gentle ride to a stormy nightmare. The waves tossed the boat, and the wind was unrelenting. Their confusion and anxiety were interrupted by a figure walking on the water. At first it seemed like a ghost; something unrecognizable. In response to this unknown presence, a death-gripping fear settled over the boat like an unwelcome friend.
What drove the others to dive for cover provoked Peter to respond differently. He believed that this wasn’t just any presence strolling through the storm; it was Jesus. To confirm his belief, Peter called out to Him. He was listening for a response from a familiar voice. If it was Him, Peter knew Jesus would answer.
Peter Was Provoked
Peter was provoked not by fear, but by the presence of Jesus. It was this revelation that prompted the question. “Lord, if it is you, ask me to come.” This audacious request was not unexpected. Peter often spoke first and considered the consequences later. It was the presence of Jesus, walking on the water, that provoked his unusual request and response.
You know the story: Jesus invites Peter out of the boat, and he takes a few steps on the water. He was the only one who faced the overwhelming fear with faith, at least for a few moments. But what makes this profound is not only the supernatural nature of the account, but the faith that came when Jesus was present. It was His presence that provoked Peter to ask if he could join Jesus on the water, and it was that same presence that gave him the courage to get out of the boat.
Good Things— Wrong Reasons
We can often be provoked by good things for the wrong reasons. Fear can cause us to respond like the other eleven men; we cover our heads and hope for the best. Injustice can grab our attention. Poverty can pull on our emotions. And anxiety can motivate us to action that is actually counterproductive. What often happens is we get swept up in the emotion of the moment. We mistake a “good” opportunity for direction, rather than stopping to ask God if He initiated the invitation; it just looks and sounds so amazing we can’t resist. (Amazon buy anyone?)
So what is the difference between being provoked by presence and presumption? They can appear similar on the surface. Each one requires the courage to execute, but wisdom says don’t jump out of a plane without a parachute and expect an angel to catch you. We all recognize the absurdity of that example, but presumption is actually a little more subtle. It shows up as self-reliance, self-protection, and self-promotion. A confident ask or expectation that, if we’re honest, is more about us than God: not everything that catches our attention, stirs our emotion or even seems spiritual is an invitation from God. It can be a distraction dressed up like opportunity that leads to disaster.
Learning the difference between presence and presumption takes practice. Sometimes that practice may look and feel more like a “mistake” than a follow. There are no shortcuts or five easy steps. The only way to know the difference is to spend time with Him until His voice becomes so familiar that it is hard to miss. Faith doesn’t grow from the comfort of the boat. There always comes a point when we have to step over the edge and trust what we have heard.
Not Perfection, Just Follow
God isn’t looking for perfection; He’s looking for us to follow. But let me be honest: not every invitation to partner with God, even the ones that come directly from time with Him, works perfectly or comes without challenges. Just ask Peter. The presence of Jesus provoked him, and his unbelief sank him all in the span of a few moments.
Sometimes unbelief creeps up and saps all our courage. When the wind starts howling and the water begins to seep into our shoes, it can be a little unnerving. But other times, outside situations, people’s choices, and timing derail the very thing God inspired us to do when we were in His presence. Not every outcome can be judged by the outcome. What matters to God is whether we allow His presence to move us. Were we provoked to a bigger, bolder ask? Did we choose to follow even when it defied logic but came with faith and confirmation?
Provoked by His Presence
Time in God’s presence is precious. Not only because we get to worship the One who is worthy of everything, but because in those moments we can hear Him differently. Outside the pressure of life’s circumstances, He can reveal things we miss in the frenzy of desperation. Granted, Peter asked God in the middle of a storm, but hearing in those moments can be difficult. It is our dedicated, consistent time with him that should provoke us to action. God is not sitting still. He is active and wants us to join Him on the journey.
“Let your kingdom come” is not a passive request; it requires big asks and bold steps. (Matthew 6:10) Maybe you would rather settle in the boat as a spectator because it feels less risky. We can call it wisdom, responsibility, or even maturity, but maybe Jesus is walking right beside you in the middle of a storm or on a calm, sunny day, and the invitation is the same: recognize His presence and respond.
The question isn’t whether getting out onto water is safe. Let’s be honest, it wasn’t for Peter. The most important question is: Where is Jesus, and what is He provoking you to do today?