Peace

"Lord if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." ~ Matthew 14:28

So many times I've heard myself send that same question to the sky. "Lord, is that you?" Darkness looms. The wind and the waves threaten to sink me for good. But walking on water is worth the risk. Jesus is worth the risk.

I'd like to write today about some friends of mine who are stepping out onto that water. Greg and Sandy Hazenburg, God's chosen ones for a task of great magnitude. They have heard the call. Throwing caution to the wind, they are stepping out of the safety of a boat that has kept them afloat for a long time . . . all for the sake of grabbing God's hand.

With a heart for the west side of Turlock, these special friends will be planting a brand new baby church. Being pregnant with this dream for a year now, this birth brings great joy. Prayer walks, contact with families, visions and leadings from the Holy Spirit - they walk forward with much to tend to - many lives to impact. I am so proud of them for taking this step.

God asks all of his disciples to take a very uncomfortable and risky step at some point. My experience has been that He asks several times -- all for the sake of knowing Him. It may not necessarily be to plant a church, but we've all been called to leave everything behind to follow Christ.

So what has God been calling you to do? Has it seemed impossible? Crazy even? There is one surefire way of knowing God's voice amidst the wind and the waves. Great precipice jumps and high wire acts of service to God have strengthened my listening skills through the years.

If you are ready to take that step, and can't be sure if it is in fact the Lord calling your name, then ask yourself this question . . .

Where is your peace?

While steps towards God will often times cause us to grow in leaps and bounds, and even break our hearts in two -- peace is always present when it is Jesus calling out.

It's okay to ask Him, "Lord, is that you?"

When His answer comes, I want to encourage you - don't hesitate a single moment. Blessing awaits. Something brand new longs to be born.

Take courage from Greg and Sandy's example.

It's time to step out of that boat.

To get a taste of the incredible ministry God is calling Greg and Sandy to, visist http://www.sandyhaze.blogspot.com/.