Listen to this devotion

Starting Out — The First Step

In the Word

He said, “Come” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus (Matthew 14:29).

Of the Word

The hardest step to take when running is usually the first step. Literally. It’s hard to open the door, put one foot in front of the other, and run. Maybe it’s the fear of failure or unrealistic expectations. Maybe you’ve never run before and it’s out of your comfort zone. But in order to overcome those obstacles, you just have to take the first step.

Imagine Peter, poised at the edge of a boat, braced against the waves with his feet apart, and his robes whipping around him in the wind. Jesus said only one word, “Come.” And Peter took his first step on water. Peter walked toward Jesus in spite of the reasons he should have just stayed in the boat.

It’s a lot like the Christian life, right? We have excuses and reasons why following Jesus is not practical or easy in this day and age. Yet Jesus says, “Come.” And like Peter, we find that the peace of Christ and hope for a new life make the first step, and then another, worthwhile.

Walking with my Lord

Heavenly Father, in the midst of the storms of life, when doubts and fears swirl around me, thank You for the invitation to come to You and for Your outstretched hand that keeps me afloat. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.


Mustard Seed: The Race of Faith. Author: Amanda Stacy, DCE. 9/28 ©2015 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. Code: #40196

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Sign up to receive Mustard Seed Devotions by email