Are you tired of playing it safe? I mean, really, truly exhausted from staying within the lines of a life that feels way too small for the big dreams God has whispered into your spirit?
Will it be easy to change? No! Will it be worth it? Absolutely.
We’ve all been there: sitting in the boat, gripping the edge until our knuckles turn white, watching the waves and thinking, "I’m fine right here. It’s dry here. It’s predictable here." But friend, the boat was never meant to be your permanent residence. It was just the vessel to get you to the place where Jesus is waiting for you to walk on the impossible.
In our community here at The Grace-Led Life, specifically within our Grow and Prosper category, we talk a lot about growth. But growth doesn't happen in the stagnant air of the "known." It happens when you put one foot over the edge and realize that the Water-Walker is holding your hand.
The Myth of the "Itsy-Bitsy House"
We often treat our lives like a tiny, itsy-bitsy house. We’ve decorated the walls just right, we know where every creak in the floorboard is, and we feel safe because the space is small enough for us to manage on our own. This is what we call our comfort zone.
But here is the hard truth: Your comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.
When you focus solely on your "itsy-bitsy house," your perspective is limited to the four walls of your own ability. You see your bank account, your current skills, and your past failures. But God? He wants to tear the roof off that house. He wants to change your perspective so you can see the world the way He sees it. He doesn’t want you managed; He wants you activated.
Fact #1: Your Eyes are Your Compass
In Matthew 14, Peter didn't start sinking because the waves got higher. The waves were already high! He started sinking because he shifted his gaze from the Creator of the water to the chaos of the water.
"But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!'" : Matthew 14:30
Spiritual Truth: Your life will always follow the direction of your focus.
If you are focused on the "how," the "when," and the "what if I fail," you are going to stay paralyzed in that boat. To step out, you must keep your eyes locked on Jesus. This is why Faith & Bible Study is the cornerstone of everything we do. You cannot walk on water if you don't know the Voice calling you out onto it.
If you're wondering how to start bible journaling, start by writing down the promises of God. When the wind starts howling (and it will), you need to be able to flip back through your faith journal and see the "Thus saith the Lord" that gave you the courage to step out in the first place.
Fact #2: Purpose Over Platform
The enemy loves to whisper that you aren't ready. He loves to tell you that you need another degree, another ten pounds lost, or a more "put-together" life before God can use you.
Excuse #1: "I'm not qualified."
Guess what? You’re right. You aren’t. And that’s exactly why God chose you.
He is not calling you because you’re the most qualified person in the room. He is calling you because it is His purpose for you. He doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called. When He calls you to step into the "pool": those deep waters where your feet can't touch the bottom: He is doing it to show off His strength, not yours.
He wants to activate you in your calling. This isn't just about a career move or a hobby; it’s about the divine assignment placed on your life before you were even born. Whether that’s in Purposeful Motherhood or leading a ministry, the goal is the same: move through the pool of transition and into the deep end of His grace.
How to Battle the Fear of the "Deep End"
So, how do we actually do this? How do we stop just thinking about getting out of the boat and actually swing a leg over the side? We pivot from inspiration to application.
- Audit Your Focus: Are you spending more time scrolling through the "itsy-bitsy houses" of others on social media, or are you in the Word? Use a Bible highlighting guide bookmark to mark every time God tells His people "Do not fear."
- Write the Vision: Use your faith based planner to map out the "scary" steps. If God is calling you to start a business, what is the one thing you can do this week to move toward that?
- Engage with Christian Journal Prompts: Deep growth requires deep digging. Ask yourself: What am I clinging to in the boat that I need to let go of? What does the "water" look like in this season of my life?
- Practice Stewardship: If you want to walk on water, you have to be a good steward of the boat first. Plan and Prosper isn't just a catchy phrase; it's a biblical principle. Prepare for the growth He is bringing.
Truth vs. Lie: The Success Mindset
The Lie: Success is staying dry and avoiding mistakes.
The Truth: Success is obedience, even if you get a little wet.
Peter "failed" in the eyes of the world because he eventually sank. But don't miss this: Peter was the only one who knew what it felt like to walk on the water with the Messiah. The other eleven stayed in the boat, "safe" and dry, but they missed the miracle.
He will help you grow. He will help you succeed. But you have to give Him something to work with. You have to give Him your step.
Activation: Your Next Step
You were made for more than the itsy-bitsy house. You were made to be a Woman in the Bible kind of hero: the kind who sees the giant and says, "My God is bigger." The kind who sees the water and says, "If He's there, I want to be there too."
God is calling you into the deep waters of His purpose. He wants to change your perspective from "How will I survive?" to "How will He move?"
Don’t let another day go by where you are just a spectator of your own life. Grab your 75-Day Holy Girl Tracker, get your heart right, and get ready to step. The water is waiting, and your Savior is already out there, holding out His hand.
Will you stay in the boat, or will you walk?
Stay bold, stay visionary, and keep your eyes on Him.
Rooted in Grace,
Charlet Billings
Want more inspiration for your walk of faith? Check out our latest faith-based articles or join us for Coaching with Charley to help you find clarity in your calling.
