Change happens when we determine that no mistake is going to stop me. Change is awkward. Any real change involves mistakes, miscalculations, and even the possibility of failure. Most of us realize that we have learned and grown more in times of change than in any time in our lives, uncomfortable as those times may be. Change is a spiritual concept. Change requires us to make decisions in order to realize the destiny and vision that God has for us. We can access political or manipulative power by trying to coerce others to bring about change, or we can rely on spiritual power to change.
Spiritually we access power through the Spirit of God as we choose the will of God and submit our wills to Him. Spiritual change might require us repent. Spiritual change always requires us to humble ourselves and rely on Jesus in faith.
"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
"Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water
and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and,
beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me! “Immediately Jesus reached out
his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
Matthew 14:28-31
In the passage where Peter walks on the water we see Peter fearful and in a storm. He calls out to Jesus, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” and Jesus tells him, “Come.” Often in the midst of a storm we know we need change. We are fearful like Peter and we call out to Jesus, ’if it’s you Jesus tell me to come.’ ‘Help me to change.’ And like with Peter, Jesus tells us to come walk out on the water of change.
Change is risky. Change has the possibility of failure. We are like Peter walking on the water. In the midst of change we see ourselves walking one minute and the next minute we are sinking. We also like Peter can cry out, “Lord, Save Me!” in the midst of change. No real spiritual change can take place without the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Exercise... Navigating Change
1. Sit quietly in a comfortable position.
2. Take several deep breaths, letting them out slowly. Invite God into this exercise and ask for His help and direction.
3. After a few minutes ask the Holy Spirit to take over your imagination.
4. Ask the Holy Spirit of God to show you in the midst of your storm where you need to change. Envision yourself like Peter and Jesus is saying to you, “Take courage! It is I, Don’t be afraid.”
5. Remember that change is risky and has the possibility of failure. Now with Jesus calling to you journal out what you think the change is that you need to make to navigate you forward in this storm Remember that change will not take place in an unexamined life. Ask yourself these two questions.
•Why do I do what I do?
•What do I really want?
6. Peter said, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Peter spoke out what he wanted. For real change to happen you need to speak out to Jesus what you want. Speak it out loud.
7. Change cannot happen if you do not allow for the possibility of failure. Peter as he stepped out toward Jesus walked on the water. “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and beginning to sink, cried out “Lord, save me!” Where have you limited yourself and the changes that you need to make because there is the possibility of failure? Where have you begun to change and then drew back because you saw the wind and grew afraid?
8. “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.” Envision yourself right now in the midst of your storm with Jesus reaching out his hand and catching you. Realize that you like Peter need faith. Declare scriptures over yourself that build faith. Breathe deeply
seeing yourself breathing out unbelief and breathing in those scriptures with faith. Thank Jesus for the change that is coming!
Discussion Questions for Growth Groups
1. Overcoming the problems of laziness and fear in order to move forward in the storms of life is key to reaching our spiritual potential. Can you share in the group testimonies when you moved forward in the storm and overcame spiritual resistance?
2. Can you share times when you gave into fear or laziness and just lost ground in the process?
3. Would you share with the group how far you are willing to go to reach your full potential spiritually?
4. In what ways has this fall been a time of growth for you?
5. Do you realize that greater awareness of the truths that you actually trust and rely on and the lies that you have been believing and deliberately choose to renounce is growth that will provide healing for the present and the future?
