Thoughts from Planet Janet

Jesus was not a person who tried to keep a good reputation intact. He never tried to explain himself for the sake of his image. Knowing there were people who disagreed and even hated him didn't cause him change one thing he did. Jesus didn't value what people thought... he valued people, period. Character is about who you are. Reputation is about who people think you are. The Lord is the keeper of your reputation. Your goodness comes from him alone.

1 John 3:13-14 

Oceans

"Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, let me walk upon the waters...." 

"Lord, if it's you tell me to come to you on the water," and to that Jesus replied, "Come." So Peter climbed out of the boat and onto the raging sea and began to make his way to Jesus. 

Has Jesus been calling you to step out of your comfort zone, out of your safe boat, onto rough waters to come closer to Him? To out of faith step out and forget what MIGHT happen and just trust Him because all He is trying to do is help you fulfill the destiny that  has been laid out for you? 

Today, I stepped out of my boat. Ive had a dream for so long and it laid on my heart, never manifesting into more than a simple wish or desire. God has been watering my dream and tinkering my heart filling it with hope, ambition, confidence, restoration and patience. I didn't understand what this season was about but I knew He has been working on making me a better woman. I thought that maybe this growth was for the man He has waiting for me but have come to realize that's not it at all. He's making me a better woman for Him to use to fulfill this dream, this destiny that He has for me. I don't think He will waste this woman He's shaping me to be to a life of singleness (considering there's kinda this guy who has my eye...) BUT what I am saying is that my purpose is for so much more than an earthly relationship. Right now in this moment it's about Him. It's about furthering His kingdom through this dream that is becoming a reality one tiny step at a time. My toes are wet! I'm so excited! 

Now if you keep reading in Matthew Chapter 14, you'll see in verse 30 that Peter ends up falling. He took his eyes off of the Lord. He didn't look past his current conditions (raging seas, a storm... His conditions scared him)  and he began sinking, needing to be rescued. Jesus said to him, "You've little faith."  now most of us if we could say anything to Peter we would probably be like, "Come on Peter.... Geez! Jesus was right there! Why would you take your eyes off of Him?!? If only you had stayed focused on Him you wouldn't have sank!" 

....Wait for it...... 

Are your eyes on Jesus or your current conditions? Your circumstances? Am I terrified of testing these new waters, well yeah a little. But I'm choosing to keep my eyes on Jesus through this. I hear His calling on my life and climbing out of my boat to walk on water toward Him is a REQUIREMENT to live out this dream He has given me. He hasn't told me it would be easy but He has promised me that He will never leave me, nor forsake me. (Deuteronomy 31:6) 

Verse 32 of Matthew chapter 16 tells us that Jesus rescued Peter and put him back in the boat. Think about that, despite the fear that overcame Peter even though Jesus was right there... It didn't keep Jesus from coming to His rescue and putting him back in a safe place. And to that I agree with Pastor Steven to whom I give credit to this next sentence, that if Peter had anything to say to us about that situation (from his very own personal experience) would be,  "Listen to the voice of God and follow His leading. Even if you sink and fall, at least you are close enough to the Lord for Him to pick you up and out you back in the boat." 

"...... wherever You would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Saviour."