As Christians our identity revolves around one man, Jesus, who came to earth over two thousand years ago. In the opening chapter of the disciple, John’s gospel, he records the reception Jesus received:

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

This short passage illuminates much. Even the Messiah himself was not understood by those close to him. He made the whole world, but few in the world saw who he really was.

Yet there were some that did.

And for those that did, they gained a new identity – Children of God.

Children who walk in the ways of God, as demonstrated by His Son. Which – if His reception is anything to go by – is not always an easy path.

I can think of numerous times in my life when people – potentially well intentioned – have told me something I was doing was not God’s will for my life. Or that my plans were bad ideas. Or told me directly that I should be doing XYZ.

Much later, Jesus’ disciple, John also wrote this:

I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.

And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.

There is a time and a place for godly counsel and there is a time and a place for doing what you, and you alone, have heard the Lord say to you.

There is a time to step out in faith.

Granted, this is not easy. We know God is our shepherd and we are his sheep. Yet at times, this can feel like it just creates situations in which we’re left lying awake at night counting sheep. I’ve been there.

But that doesn’t mean that stepping out in faith is wrong.

Consider another of Jesus’ disciples, Simon Peter. Often accused of putting his foot in his mouth, Simon Peter actually displays bold faith on a number of occasions.

Such as the night after the feeding of the five thousand. The disciples were out on the lake and Jesus had been onshore, praying.

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

“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 toward Jesus.But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Peter doubts because we all do. We all forget what we have seen before, start to get afraid and begin to sink.

This is when a good memory comes in handy. Peter should have remembered that when it comes to being on the water, doing exactly what Jesus says is all we need to do.

Not long after he’d met Jesus, Simon Peter had experienced just that:

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signalled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

But because you say so, I will…

What has God said to you? Will you trust and obey?

Will you sink into doubt on the waves, or will the boat sink with the size of the catch?

But because you say so, I will.

Yours counting fish instead,

Alison