Peter was doing the unthinkable. He was walking on water! With every step he took, he got closer and closer to his goal.

His whole life at that time revolved around Jesus of Nazareth. He wanted to walk like him, talk like him, think and act like him. Jesus was everything Peter wanted to be, and he was willing to put it all on the line to reach his goal.

So, Peter, seeing what he really wanted in life, stepped out of the boat in faith and began to achieve his goal one step at a time.

He was slowly but surely becoming the person he always wanted to be.

Peter was well on his way to achieving his goal, but he fell into a trap that many of us fall into.

Oftentimes I set a goal and take the initial steps of achieving it, then I get discouraged and stop. I know I have been there more than once.

Maybe your goal is to write a book, start a business, reach a certain weight, run for political office, improve relationships. It doesn’t really matter as long as it stirs you to become a better version of yourself. In order to do any of that, you have to step out of the boat of comfort and into the waters of uncertainty.

You may sink, but you will not drown. The older I get, the more I try to step out of the boat because I am learning that on the other side of all my fears is the life for which I am hoping. I cannot become the person I could be without taking some risks. Plus, eventually the clock will run out.

What Peter did, I have done. Peter looked to his left and saw the enormous waves of uncertainty and fear swelling up and crashing around him.

He then looked to his right and felt the stinging winds of doubt blow against his face and heard the thunder of unbelievers clapping in his ears.

Unbelievers that were still in the boat “safe and secure” telling him that he was not talented enough, strong enough or smart enough to reach his goal. Shouting at him that his goal was too lofty, and he will only fail.

They wanted Peter to get back into the boat with them where it was comfortable, safe, and much less risky.

As Peter began to focus his attention on all the reasons why he should not succeed, he took his eyes off his goal and sank into the water, falling short.

Peter then had to climb back into a boat full of “comfortable cowards” that did not have the courage to even try. 

If Peter had just kept his eyes on the prize and ignored all the reasons swirling around him of why he should not achieve, he would have continued to do the extraordinary.

Whether you believe this bible story or not is beside the point, because the point here is simple; Peter forgot why he stepped out of the boat to begin with.

He failed to remember the vision he had in his mind’s eye when he initially set his goal and began to achieve it.

Peter was not focused on the rough seas when he took that first step of faith, he was focused on his goal…. but his focus shifted from what he could achieve, to why he should not achieve.

When doubt, fear, uncertainty, and unbelievers begin to storm around you on the road to your goals, pay them no mind. Remember why you stepped out of the boat in the first place. Use that vision to revitalize your passion and focus towards your goals and dreams.

Your story, just like mine, is not yet over. I try to remind myself daily that I have yet to experience some of the greatest days of my life. I have a lot left to celebrate, as do you.

Keep stepping out of the boat in faith, and you will look in the mirror someday and be inspired by the person you have become. Do not be afraid to step out of the boat. And when you do, never forget why you took that first step to begin with.

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Todd Howey is a columnist for BrownwoodNews.com whose articles appear on Fridays. Email comments to thowey63@gmail.com.