Are You a Storm Walker or a Storm Watcher?

"But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.' '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." — Matthew 14:27-29 (NIV)

There’s something thrilling about storm chasers, don’t you think? I’m captivated by shows where brave souls drive straight into the heart of raging storms to capture nature’s volatile beauty. One show that really hooked me was Storm Chasers. It aired during late spring and early summer, when Tornado Alley home to some of the fiercest tornadoes—comes alive with fierce weather patterns.

I would watch in awe as these daring teams roared toward tornadoes, hurricanes, and towering thunderstorms, armed with cameras and data-collection gear. They were fearless, chasing adrenaline, but at their core, they remained storm watchers—observing the fury, documenting the spectacle, but never truly part of it.

That got me thinking: Are we simply watching from the sidelines in our own lives, or are we ready to become storm walkers? Are we willing to step out in faith and trust that God will guide us through the chaos?

In Matthew 14, we see Jesus calling not for storm watchers but for storm walkers. When the disciples spotted Him walking on the turbulent waters, fear gripped them like a vice. The storm raged around them—waves crashing, wind howling—but Jesus appeared, defying all that nature dictated. While the others huddled paralyzed in the boat, Peter’s voice broke through:

"Lord, if it's You, tell me to come to You on the water."

And Jesus simply said, "Come."

In that electrifying moment, Peter did something extraordinary. He climbed out of the boat, his feet finding purchase on the water as he moved toward Jesus. For a fleeting instant, he rose above the storm—until doubt crept back in. When he took his gaze off Christ and focused on the screaming winds and the churning waves, fear overwhelmed him, and he began to sink.

Storm walkers aren’t afraid to step directly into the storm because they know their foundation is solid in Jesus.

Life, much like those storms, will throw challenges our way—financial struggles, loss, uncertainty, heartbreak. Some people remain on the sidelines, paralyzed by fear, waiting for the storm to calm before they dare to move forward. They cling to the safety of the boat, hoping the chaos will pass them by.

But here’s the truth: storm walkers forge ahead. They keep their focus on God, even when the world spins out of control. They step out in faith, believing that God’s strength outweighs the storm’s fury.

So, I challenge you to reflect on this today:

Are you content to be a storm watcher, huddled in the boat, too afraid to take that leap? Or will you choose to be a storm walker, stepping out boldly in faith, even when the winds howl and the waves crash around you?

Jesus is still calling out to you, "Come."

Whatever tempest you’re facing, don’t let fear keep you tethered to the boat. Trust that God will keep you from sinking. Keep your eyes fixed on Him, and walk with courage through the storm! Amen!