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Author: John Ortberg

Book: Christianity

Year of Release: 2003

One of the most difficult things that we experience in the Christian life is when God asks us to get out of the boat and walk on water with Him. But this is also the most fulfilling because not only would we get to experience the immense power of God in our lives, we would also get to experience greater faith as we trust in Him, new avenues for knowing Him better, and huge potentials awaiting us when we get out of our comfort zones.

For those who are afraid or hesitant to take that one small step, John Ortberg delivers a most compelling book on how to trust God when indeed He asks us to get out of the boat. From just one scenario alone – of Peter leaving his friends behind and taking a light splash on the water – Ortberg brings lessons upon lessons for those who would like to emulate Peter.

The lesson on water-walking, being boat potatoes, seeing the wind and then crying out in fear, focusing on Jesus Christ and then learning to wait – these may seem contrived in just one small verse but Ortberg is able to keep his thought processes intact, especially when he interspersed it with his personal experiences and stories about ordinary people who have learned to get out of the boat. I especially liked his story in the first chapter when he and his wife went on a balloon ride – only to find out that the one manning the balloon was just a surfer dude. Ortberg and his wife had to rely on this guy to land them to safety.

And that is precisely what God is asking us to do right? To rely on Him to safely land us where He wants us to land.

Along with walking on water, Ortberg also didn’t fail to enlighten the readers that when we decide to follow God, it doesn’t mean that we won’t be encountering problems – not just the wind or the storm that Peter saw but problems that may seem to defeat us. Again, Ortberg emphasized the point of keeping our eyes focused on the Lord God Almighty and crying out for His help. As He said in the preface, “There is always a changed life. Those who say yes to God’s call don’t walk the walk perfectly – not by a long shot. But because they say yes to God, they learn and grow from their failures. And they become part of His actions to redeem the world.”

Just like Peter. Do you want to become like him?

So in essence, it’s not just about getting out of the boat. The book that John Ortberg wrote is more about learning and growing in the Christian faith.

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