Stepping Out On Glass

By Peter Lundell 

On a recent trip to Minnesota, my friend took me to visit the world-famous Guthrie Theatre. Along the Mississippi River side of the building is a four-by-six foot cutout in a floor four stories above ground. The cutout is fitted with an inch-thick, heavy-duty glass. (Unlike that in the Sears Tower in Chicago, this one’s free).

I walked to the edge, stopped, and shivered. My brain was programmed to know that I should never stand so close to a precipice. But it wasn’t a precipice; it was a glass floor. Still looking down, I stepped to the middle. My body jittered from foot to head. My brain insisted I was standing in midair or that at least the glass would give way, and I would plummet to my death. I knew it was okay—it had obviously been tested and built according to a code. But it didn’t feel okay. And that was the architect’s whole point.

Faith is like that. Trusting God for something that seems impossible can feel like stepping into midair. When we look down, it doesn’t seem right or possible, and we want to retreat. Remember the disciple Peter almost walking on the waves? Jesus did not judge him for faltering. But He called Peter—and calls us—to step beyond our safety zones.

I found that when I stood on the glass long enough, I got used to it—like all the times I’ve lived by faith. But I never became comfortable. And I suspect no one ever gets totally comfortable living by faith either. I don’t think we’re supposed to. God intends us to live with some discomfort—that is how we stay awake and close to Him, which is the key to experiencing those extraordinary things that come by faith. Where are you stepping out?

PRAYER: Lord, lead me to step out by faith into the areas of my life that scare me, like [name them]. When I do, help me to know I won’t fall.

“Immediately Jesus spoke to them: ‘Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.’ Peter said to him, ‘Lord, if it is you, order me to come to you on the water.’ So he said, ‘Come,’” Matthew14:27–29a NET.

Today’s devotion is by Peter Lundell, author of Prayer Power. A rising new voice on connecting with God, he is a pastor, Bible college teacher, and conference speaker. Visit him at www.PeterLundell.com for his inspirational “Connections” and free downloads of articles, parables, short stories, and book chapters.