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Today we have a new writer but a familiar face. Anyone who has followed the blog from the start may remember Mike who drew some pretty awesome artwork for the blogs. He has now written a number of blogs which will be appearing over the coming weeks. It appears he is as good with words as he is pictures!

There’s a well known phrase in Christian circles that references Jesus’ miraculous walk on the water and goes “if you want to walk on water then you’ve got to get out of the boat.” Whilst I agree with the sentiment of this statement, I think that we could take it a step further back and say that you first need to get into the boat!

There have been times in my life when I feel like I’m dry docked. In these times I feel spiritually dry, like a spectator in church and to my own faith. When I analyse these times they are times when I have slipped into Sunday Christian mode, i.e. I turn up to church every Sunday out of routine but my faith stops there – I have no further involvement within the church and my faith has no impact on the rest of my life.

How can I expect my faith to grow if I’m not involved if any form of service? If I’m just taking from my local church but not giving anything back then I will not have any opportunity to exercise my faith or to learn from God or from those he puts in my path. Left on the dock for long enough, I will get bored, disillusioned and just walk away.

If you find yourself in a situation like this I would encourage you to get on a boat that’s in the water – any boat will do, whether you think it’s “your thing” or not. Even if you don’t stay on that particular boat for long another one may come along and you may even have to walk across the water to get to it.

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 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 14:25-29 NIV)