Can you walk on water?


When Jesus told Peter to, “Get out of the boat”, he didn’t hesitate.  He didn’t stop to over-think the situation or over-analyse, he just did it.  So why are we so hesitant to step out of our own comfort zone?  Why do we not put ourselves forward more often?  Why do we convince ourselves that we simply aren’t good enough?

In my career in charity, I climbed to the position of Chief Executive Officer and I quietly, inwardly questioned, “How did that happen?”  As a teenager (nearly 50 years ago), I was not a very likeable person, though I met a beautiful girl and I married her 40 years ago.  Again, I question, “How did that happen?”  I kind of fell into being a youth worker and a Christian Rap Artist, impacting thousands of young lives, but still, that question lurked in the back of my mind, “How did that happen?” 


I now know that this negative thinking about our own abilities is referred to as, ‘Imposter-Syndrome.’ This lack of self-belief is in us all at different levels.  Soon after Peter stepped out, he had a reality check, imposter-syndrome hit him and he started to sink, but Jesus reached out and took his hand.

In recent years I have made conscious decisions to put myself out there more.  It still feels alien, at times extremely nervous and uncomfortable, but still, we must metaphorically step out of the boat.  Over 30 years ago, God gave me the gift of writing in rhyme and I used that gift.  It was extremely uncomfortable when I first stepped onto a stage to perform, but I felt that He was holding my hand.  Publishing my first book was again a nervous and uncomfortable, yet exhilarating experience.  In my head came more questions, “Will people like it?  Is it any good?”  I am sure that any of my author friends can relate to these feelings.  On the day of publishing, even the most seasoned authors can feel elevated levels of vulnerability and anxiety, as we expose ourselves to criticism.

At times, this vulnerability can even prevent us, writers, from writing.  Fear can overwhelm and consume our creativity.  The Bible tells us that, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind” – 2 Timothy 1:7.  When we are drowning, He will reach out and take our hands.  It’s taken me decades to really grasp this and I am still learning (aren’t we all?).

Lately, I have felt God telling me to once again, ‘Step out’ into the realm of public speaking and teaching.  In reluctant obedience, I have now arranged to present my first ever poetry workshops and as soon as I had agreed, I questioned, “What have I done?”  Imposter syndrome kicks in, I start to sink and God takes my hand.  We are not alone in this God is in us; so what is your next adventure?  What are you being called to step into?  Are you ready to walk on (metaphoric) water?


Brendan is a Christian poet and author of 8 books, including 'The book of PSALMS in Rhyme.'  He lives in Stroud Gloucestershire.  There are 'self-made men' and 'God-made men', Brendan is the latter.  An associate speaker with Christian Vision for Men.  A member of the Association of Christian Writers.

Click here to visit Brendan's website

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What's in a name?

Image
I published my first book, The Golden Thread, in 2015, so I've been writing for over 6 years and have now published 8 books.  Though I have written blogs before, this is my first venture onto 'Blogger' and so far I am most impressed.  As this is my first blog, I thought it best to introduce myself a little. I love to investigate the meaning behind names, particularly when creating a character for a novel.  Their name must have an appropriate meaning to reflect the personality, temperament and nature of the subject.  Do you know the meaning of your own name? My name, Brendan, is derived from the Gaelic name Breandán, which is in turn derived from the earlier Old Irish Brénainn and it means, ‘Prince’ or ‘King.’  Wow, I am royalty.  This may explain why I was not at all daunted on the two occasions when I have been honoured to meet members of the Royal Family.  The first time was when I was invited to one of the Queen’s garden parties and the second when...
Read more

Where is Your Website? - Ideas to be better seen.

Image
Do you have a website?   How often are you asked this?  Do you ever ask it of others?  A contact in America recently asked if she could stock my books in, supposedly 4 shops.  I sent her all of my info and asked her for her website, she didn’t have one and said she has physical shops.  Really? Many people now regard having a website as ‘doing it right, in a professional manner’ so we need to make sure that we invest into our websites.   I always say that a website is like a shop window, it needs to be visually attractive and convey your message quickly.   It is now said that the online attention of the average person is 8.25 seconds , so make the most of that time. If your shop window isn’t right, people will drift on past your shop.   Marketeers use techniques to make you find, stop, stay and shop , so how does your window, your website manage to do this?   Can you remember the day that your website first went live?   Did you sho...
Read more

Journey into the UNKNOWN?

Image
Photo: Chris Buckwald - Unsplash.com Amongst other things, I am an author and a film producer.  I use those skills to communicate a message, a story, or share some information.  You will not be at all surprised to hear then, that I love watching films and that one of my favourite scenes is from, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.  Towards the end of the film, Indiana (the hero) has to step off of a cliff edge into a ravine.  He has to take a huge step off faith and following his father’s instruction, that is what he does.  He steps, yet does not fall.  As he changes his perspective, the previously invisible bridge is now seen, stretching out across the perilous ravine. As we all start a new year, for many, we may feel like Indiana Jones as we step out into the unknown.  The last two years of pandemic have brought so much uncertainty for so many and as humans, we need a balance between certainty and uncertainty.  We can all make plans for the year...
Read more