Morning my friend, we need to have a chat over coffee about the adventure of a lifetime: your faith walk.  Today we are meeting at Java House in Fort Meyers for a fantastic Americano.

“We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.”
Psalm 33:20 NIV

The Hebrew word used for “wait” in Psalms 33:20 implies being tied to or binding yourself to something.

For me, the picture of a seatbelt comes to mind.

When I was a teenager, I went to the movies with a friend. I met him at his house, climbed into his truck and buckled myself in. We drove down the street and then he stopped. He checked my seatbelt, put his truck in four-wheel drive and turned toward the ravine. He told me that we were going to take a shortcut – we were going off-roading. I was excited, (slightly terrified actually) but up for the adventure so I said, “Let’s go for it!”

I have never appreciated a seatbelt more. It held me in my seat on the sharp inclines and steep declines, over the rocky bumps and through the unlevel dry river beds. We arrived at the theater with plenty of time although I remember the journey there more than the movie we saw.

Following Jesus and living a life of faith is more like off-roading than driving on the freeway.

He takes you to new places, asks you to grow out of your comfort zones and challenges you to take the road less traveled.

Like when Peter stepped out of the boat and onto the stormy sea in Matthew 14:29-30:

““Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14:29-30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I read this line today in the devotional “Streams of the Desert”:

“Once he had stepped out of the boat, the waves were none of his business”.

Peter’s job wasn’t to walk on water but it was to keep his eyes on Jesus.

Your job isn’t to worry how you will get where you need to be, your job is to step out of the boat, buckle up for the bumpy ride, gather your weapons for battle and keep your eyes on Jesus.

Jesus is your help and your shield – you can’t do it by yourself.

“We’re depending on GOD; he’s everything we need. What’s more, our hearts brim with joy since we’ve taken for our own his holy name. Love us, GOD, with all you’ve got— that’s what we’re depending on.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭33:20-22‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Buckle up and hold on for the ride of your life, my friend, knowing that the driver, your Savior, loves you so much that he died for you, suffered for you and delights in you.