I was called to the hospital over the weekend to see a couple of patients that just wanted to talk to a chaplain. I never imagined how much I would enjoy chaplaining.

While driving home, I saw Andy and Serenity coming down the street. Serenity riding her bike in her swimsuit and helmet. Not a care in the world. If riding your bike in your swimsuit is wrong then I don’t wanna be right.

I was thinking about seeing her big smile when I drove by seeing her on her bike. When she got home, I asked her why she’s didn’t put shorts on. Why she didnt wear something more comfortable. Why she didn’t…well yoi get the point. To her, it was hot…so swimsuit it was. Total confidence. Granted this is totally harmless but what If…what If we approached God’s call on our life with the same confidence?

Today marked my fourth anniversary of being a licensed pastor. I had been in ministry for a long time before this moment but never felt worthy of the title PASTOR. And when I gave into that call…I had many people try to convince me that I was too busy…not ready…too messy…too…well you get the point.

I wasn’t prepared. I wasn’t prepared for those who are against women in ministry. I wasn’t prepared for how hurt and broken people often hurt those who try to help. I wasn’t prepared for the magnified glass on my life. How every move I made and every word I said was under scrutiny.

But one day I wanted to throw in the towel…let’s be honest…there have been more than one day. But on this particular day, I looked at God and said “REALLY?! This is what you called me to do???”

And I will never forget the word. The one simple word. “YES.”

You see…when God calls us to something, we think it’s going to be this straight and easy path. But He never promised that. He does promise that He will be with us every step of the way.

This weekend I preached on Peter walking on water. It was a humbling day for me after a mistake I made was taken further than I ever imagined. You see Peter, irrational at times Peter…asked God to call Him out onto the water. And God…simply put…said COME. So Peter did.

And then he noticed the waves. And then he took his attention off of Jesus. He took his attention off of Jesus’ call. And he looked at everything wrong. AND. HE. SANK.

But Jesus knew…he was right there. One of the things I had missed the thousands of times that I have read this story until this weekend was that when Jesus grabs Peter and rescues him from drowning, Peter and Jesus walk on water again…back to the boat. He walks on water again. Jesus didnt just rescue him and declare “whoops…I guess that Isnt your call.” “Whoops…I guess you can’t do this.” “Whoops…I made a mistake” NO! He reached down…and helped him walk on water AGAIN!

Peter had to ask for help. Peter had to humbly admit that he was drowning. Peter had to wait for Jesus’ hand. But Jesus reaches down and helps him walk on water AGAIN!

Bad days don’t define your call. Trying your own path doesn’t define your call. What those say about you doesn’t define your call. But it’s easy to focus on those waves…and less on Jesus. Who defines your call?? Jesus.

Whether you’re a teacher, or a trainer, or a truck driver, or a construction worker, or a pastor…God has a calling on your life. And the Evil One HATES that! So he will use anyone and anything he can to silence that call and to make you question.

So what’s my point…

Friends…no one else is in those conversations you have with God. So when you know God is calling you to something…I encourage you to seek Jesus; climb out of the boat; and walk on water completely focused on the one who called you out of the boat. What does that look like? I don’t know what it looks like for you. Sometimes, I’m not sure what it looks like for me.