In Over My Head

Matthew 14:22-33 (KJV)

22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

I’m in way over my head

A couple of weeks ago I spent some time with a friend of mine, a fellow pastor, who was describing a pastor that he had worked for as being as one who was in way over his head. This was meant as a critique of sorts but I received it as a complement to my brother. It is my opinion that no pastor is worth his salt if he is not in it over his head.

I have drawn the conclusion that I am in it over my head, but quite honestly that is where miracles happen. It doesn’t take faith to do what you can already do on your own. Anyone can wade around in knee deep water, it doesn’t take any special gift to just walk around in ankle deep water, but when you get in over your head you enter into the realm of the supernatural.

When Peter got out of the boat he was in over his head. It took some kind of faith to step out of the known into the unknown. Miracles are not happening in the area of your life where you have it all figured out. You have to step out of the comfort zone to experience the greatness of God.

I began thinking of those in the Word of God who were in over their head and came to the conclusion that not one member of the faith hall of fame was excluded from this category.

You talk about over your head living, look at Noah in Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Noah wasn’t building another boat! He was building the first boat. When it’s another boat you can copy off of someone else and use their design, but when there isn’t another pattern you get in over your head!

Look at Abraham

Hebrews 11:8-10 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

I can assure you, Abraham was in it way over his head, but he was called the friend of God!

Scripture declares that Sara by faith received strength to conceive seed! Hebrews 11:11-12

11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

Carrying a child at ninety years of age, I would say she was way over her head!