Bible Truth for Everyday Life

How to Step out in Faith When the Waters Are Raging

I have no clue our day is about to unfold in one of the most epic mom-journeys ever or that this will be a day my kids will remember for years to come.  I don’t know it will be a day about learning how to step out in faith when the future feels uncertain.  All I know is that the darkness is wearing us all a little thin when the idea falls like the descending snow outside.

“Want to take Caleb to our camping spot along the river?” I ask Bekah, drawing her from screen time that’s lasted longer than proper parents would permit.

There’s no hesitation. “Yes!” she shouts.

In ten minutes, we’re bundled into snow pants, parkas, and blaze orange stocking caps, barreling down the road to a place that’s become a hidden sanctuary among conifers on hot summer nights.

“I seriously can’t stop smiling,” Bekah says from the backseat. “I try not to, but my lips just keep forcing out a smile.”

She’s watching herself in the rearview mirror, little face puckered in unequivocal delight.

Stepping out in Faith When the River Rages

We reach the parking area, where muddy water rages below the bridge, and the River Trail invites us, gate open wide for hunters to risk the narrow gravel lane along the steep banks that lead straight to the water below.

Our journey begins with a one-mile walk beneath hemlock boughs hanging low with tufts of snow and sweet birch saplings rising hopefully from what was once a verdant canopy overhead. Bekah skips and hops the whole way, and I push Caleb in a stroller suited for this kind of excursion.

A mile into our hike, we reach it. We reach the open grate bridge that normally leads us safely across an amicable stream with clear water washing over sandstone.  Today we find nothing friendly about the stream.  The water from the great river to our right has exceeded its banks, and the normally leisurely current of the small stream is a muddy torrent of rapids.  The bridge is visible, but only beneath ten inches of muddy water.

“I guess we’ll have to go back,” Bekah says, deflated.

“Let’s walk upstream and see if we can find a crossing,” I suggest, hoping to save the day.

Twenty minutes later, we’ve found no crossing over the raging waters of the bursting stream, and Bekah’s smile fades as she concedes, “I guess we’ll have to go home.”

Staring at the flooded bridge, I suddenly have an idea.

“What if I take off my shoes and socks, roll up my pants, and push you both across in the stroller?” I suggest.

The kids stare at their mom, eyes flickering in wonder.

“Let’s do it!” Bekah cheers, and within seconds, they’re both sitting in the stroller, clinging for dear life.Encouragement for stepping out in faith, following God, and taking risks in your life

I shove my shoes and socks into the back of the stroller, roll my pants above my knees, and set out pushing my most precious gifts in the whole world across the muddy water as the thirty-degree snowflakes fall from heaven. We make it across the water undeterred, and within five minutes, my feet are warm again as I push my passengers toward the big bend in the river where we’ll build the fire and roast the marshmallows.

A Practical Way to Step Into the Water

Later that night, Bekah convinces me to print the photos from our trip so she can make a memory book. I’m surprised to discover a photo Bekah snapped while I was recovering from the return-trek across the stream: a photo of me putting my shoes on.

I stare at it for a minute, and I’m taken back to one of my favorite passages of Scripture:

So when the people set out from their tents to cross the Jordan with the priests carrying the ark of the covenant before the people,  and when those who carried the ark came into the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest),  the waters which were flowing down from above stood and rose up in one heap (Joshua 3:14-16)

As God’s chosen people were about to enter the land he had promised for their inheritance, the priests carried the most precious possession: the ark of the covenant. The ark of the covenant was the very place where the presence of God dwelled.  Their commission was simple: Lead the people across the formidable Jordan River by stepping into the water.  God promised to draw back the waters after the priests took the first step, and he fulfilled his promise.

Sometimes we have to take off our shoes and step into the water of risk if we’re going to receive the abundance of God’s promises for our lives.

If you’ve been waiting on God to do the miracle before you take the first step out in faith, you might just have your perspective backward.  God often waits for us to take the first step in faith – before we see signs of his provision.

If you've been waiting on God to do the miracle before you take the first step out in #faith, you might just have your #perspective backward. #God often waits for us to take the first step in faith - before we see signs of his… Click To Tweet

The priests trusted this principle.

When Risk Makes It Scary to Step Out in Faith

I wasn’t thinking about the Jordan River or the priests when I pushed my kids across the numbing water in my bare feet, but a similar principle applied. We enjoyed the rewards of reaching our destination because we were willing to take a risk.

How often I’ve missed the reward of obedience because I was afraid of risk.

How often my dreams remained shelved, because I was afraid of stepping out, failing, or letting others see that I didn’t accomplish my goals. (Read here about my struggle to step out in faith.)

How often we miss God’s best because we’re not willing to take off our shoes and step into the cold water.

If you’ve reached the flooded creek bed today, there are two choices: Roll up your pants and cross, or turn back and call it quits. This might be the day to roll up your pants and see what’s on the other side.

An Invitation for You to Step Out in Faith:

Are you ready to step into a life with a greater sense of victory?  I have compiled a free online 14-day devotional, called Victory Rising: A 2-Week Journey to Defeat Fear, Worry, and Doubt.  Simply enter your name and email address here, and I’ll deliver it directly to your email inbox, no strings attached!

 

 

 

 

I’m passionate about equipping others to encounter God in powerful and life-changing ways. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me hiking, jogging, exploring wild places with my three young children and husband, leading small groups, and mentoring younger women. A certified special education teacher, I am on leave from the classroom for a season of chasing frogs and playing in creeks with my little ones. Most of all, the compassionate love of Jesus has forever ravished my heart, and I'm emphatic about making his love known to the world.