🌊 GET OFF THE SHORE: WHEN GOD SAYS GO—GO!
Faith Does Not Require You to Know Everything Ahead of Time. It Requires You to Trust the One Who Does.
There comes a moment in nearly every Christian's walk when prayer changes.
We have been asking God:
“Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Then one day, He answers.
A burden settles upon our heart. A direction becomes clear. The Holy Spirit nudges us toward something outside our comfort zone.
And suddenly the person who wanted an answer has twenty more questions.
“Lord, how will I afford it?”
“What if it doesn't work?”
“What will people think?”
“What if I'm wrong?”
“Where will the resources come from?”
“What happens afterward?”
“Couldn't we wait until things are a little more certain?”
There is nothing wrong with testing what we believe we have heard. Scripture tells us to exercise discernment. Not every impulse is God's voice.
But once we have prayerfully examined the matter, measured it against Scripture, and become persuaded that God is truly directing us, another question takes center stage:
ARE WE GOING TO OBEY HIM OR NOT?
Because eventually, discernment must become decision.
And decision must become action.
WHEN YOU KNOW IT IS GOD—DO IT
There are several things we can do when God nudges our hearts.
We can do it.
We can give God conditions.
We can examine it endlessly.
We can put it on the shelf.
We can ignore it.
We can even become extremely spiritual about our procrastination:
“I'm still praying about it.”
Sometimes we genuinely should keep praying.
But sometimes we aren't waiting on God.
GOD IS WAITING ON US.
There is a point when asking for another confirmation isn't discernment anymore.
It is delay.
God said go.
We want a map.
God said trust.
We want guarantees.
God said step.
We want to see the entire staircase.
And while we stand there asking God to explain everything, the boat remains tied to the shore.
“LAUNCH OUT INTO THE DEEP”
Luke 5 gives us one of the clearest pictures of this kind of faith.
Simon Peter and the fishermen had worked through the night.
They knew fishing.
They knew those waters.
They knew their equipment.
And they knew something else:
THEY HAD CAUGHT NOTHING.
Then Jesus said:
“Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.” — Luke 5:4
Think about that instruction.
Jesus was telling experienced fishermen to go back out after their own experience had already told them:
There's nothing out there.
Peter could have answered:
“We already tried.”
“This isn't the right time.”
“We're tired.”
“The conditions aren't favorable.”
“We know these waters.”
“We've cleaned the nets.”
“Maybe tomorrow.”
Instead, Peter said something enormously important:
“Nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.” — Luke 5:5
There it is.
NEVERTHELESS.
That may be one of the greatest words of faith in Scripture.
“I don't understand it—nevertheless.”
“I've already tried—nevertheless.”
“The numbers don't work—nevertheless.”
“I don't know where the resources will come from—nevertheless.”
“I have unanswered questions—nevertheless.”
AT THY WORD.
GOD ALREADY KNOWS WHAT YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT
This is something we sometimes forget.
When God gives an assignment, we start informing Him about all the complications as though He overlooked them.
“Lord, I don't have enough money.”
He knows.
“Lord, I don't have the right connections.”
He knows.
“Lord, I've never done anything like this.”
He knows.
“Lord, I'm too old.”
He knows your age.
“Lord, I'm too young.”
He knew that too.
“Lord, what if somebody says no?”
God already knows every yes and every no waiting down the road.
EVERY CONCERN YOU DISCOVER AFTER GOD SPEAKS WAS ALREADY PRESENT WHEN HE SPOKE.
Your problem didn't surprise Him.
Your limitation didn't escape His attention.
The opposition wasn't hidden from Him.
God didn't call you and then suddenly discover your bank balance.
He knew.
And He still said:
GO.
THAT DOESN'T MEAN BE RECKLESS
This needs to be said clearly.
Faith isn't an excuse for irresponsibility.
Not every strong feeling comes from God.
Not every opportunity is a divine assignment.
And “God told me” should never be used to justify something contrary to Scripture, wisdom, integrity, or responsibility.
Scripture tells us:
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God...” — 1 John 4:1
So pray.
Search Scripture.
Seek godly counsel when appropriate.
Examine your motives.
Ask whether the direction agrees with God's revealed character and Word.
Be willing to hear no as readily as yes.
But once you've done that and know God has spoken—
STOP USING DISCERNMENT AS A DISGUISE FOR DISOBEDIENCE.
At some point, you have to launch the boat.
OUR PHILIPPINES STORY BEGAN BEFORE WE HAD THE ANSWERS
This isn't merely something I preach.
I've had to live it.
When God called us to the Philippines in 2011, we did not have everything necessary to make that calling happen.
We had no money for the mission.
We had no church waiting for us there.
We had no obvious pathway to accomplish what God had placed upon our hearts.
And we certainly had no shortage of unanswered questions.
From the natural perspective, there were plenty of reasons to say:
“Not yet.”
Maybe when the money comes.
Maybe when somebody invites us.
Maybe when the infrastructure exists.
Maybe when we know exactly where we'll go.
Maybe when every question has an answer.
Maybe when it feels safer.
But there was one enormous problem with all those maybes:
GOD HAD ALREADY SAID GO.
So what did we do?
We began making plans.
We prepared.
We positioned ourselves toward obedience.
We didn't possess everything necessary for the journey.
But we could begin moving in the direction God had given us.
That is important.
SOMETIMES YOUR FIRST ACT OF FAITH IS PREPARATION
People sometimes think faith means sitting still until God miraculously drops everything into place.
Not necessarily.
Noah built.
Abraham went.
Moses confronted Pharaoh.
Joshua crossed.
David walked toward Goliath.
Peter stepped out of the boat.
Faith repeatedly produces movement.
If God tells you to go and you don't yet have the ticket, perhaps you start preparing for the journey.
If He tells you to write, start writing.
If He tells you to serve, begin preparing to serve.
If He tells you to reconcile, make the call.
If He tells you to give, give.
If He tells you to apply, submit the application.
If He tells you to start something, determine the first responsible step.
PUT SOME FEET TO YOUR FAITH.
Because faith that never moves eventually becomes little more than religious vocabulary.
WE SAY WE TRUST GOD—UNTIL TRUST REQUIRES SOMETHING
It's easy to say:
“I trust the Lord.”
It's easy when the bills are paid.
When the plan makes sense.
When everyone agrees.
When the door is already open.
When the resources are sitting in the bank.
When success appears likely.
But what happens when God says:
“Launch out into the deep”?
Deep water is different.
You can't stand on the bottom.
You can't control everything.
You can't keep one foot safely planted on shore.
At some point, your security must shift from where you're standing to Who told you to go.
That's faith.
THE SHORE IS SAFE—BUT THE HARVEST MAY NOT BE THERE
This may be where many Christians spend far too much of their lives.
On the shore.
The shore is predictable.
Comfortable.
Familiar.
We can explain it.
Budget it.
Control it.
And defend staying there.
But Jesus told Peter:
“LAUNCH OUT INTO THE DEEP.”
Why?
Because that's where the catch was.
Some of us keep asking God for a deep-water harvest while refusing to leave shallow water.
We want the miracle without the launch.
The provision without the obedience.
The testimony without the test.
The harvest without letting down the net.
It doesn't work that way.
WHAT IF PETER HAD WAITED?
Imagine Peter saying:
“Lord, I'll think about it.”
“I'll pray about it for six months.”
“Let me form a committee.”
“I need three confirmations.”
“Let's wait until fishing conditions improve.”
“I need to know how many fish are there before I go.”
The harvest was waiting.
But the net had to be lowered.
SOME HARVESTS HAVE A WINDOW.
Opportunities do not always remain indefinitely.
People move.
Circumstances change.
Doors close.
Resources shift.
Someone else obeys.
And sometimes what God wanted us to gather is gone by the time we finally decide we are comfortable enough to move.
That is one of the tragedies of delayed obedience.
DELAY CAN COST MORE THAN WE REALIZE
We often calculate the cost of obedience.
“How much will this cost me?”
“What will I have to sacrifice?”
“What could go wrong?”
But perhaps we should also calculate the cost of not obeying.
Who doesn't get reached?
Who doesn't receive encouragement?
Which door closes?
Which relationship never forms?
Which ministry never begins?
Which book never gets written?
Which family doesn't receive help?
Which community doesn't hear the Gospel?
Which person never encounters what God intended to send through you?
We may never know.
And that should sober us.
GOD HAS MORE FOR US THAN WE CAN SEE
One of our greatest difficulties is that we want God to limit His assignments to our understanding.
We say:
“Lord, I'll do whatever You want...”
Then quietly add:
“As long as I understand it.”
“As long as I can afford it.”
“As long as everybody agrees.”
“As long as there isn't too much risk.”
“As long as I know how it ends.”
But then we're not really asking God to lead us.
We're asking Him to approve a route we've already chosen.
Proverbs 3:5–6 says:
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
Notice what Scripture specifically tells us not to lean upon:
OUR OWN UNDERSTANDING.
God can see around corners we cannot.
THE QUESTION BECOMES VERY SIMPLE
After the prayer.
After the discernment.
After examining Scripture.
After determining that the prompting truly is from God.
After all the questions.
After all the fears.
Eventually everything comes down to this:
DO YOU BELIEVE GOD OR NOT?
Not:
Do you understand everything?
Not:
Can you see the provision?
Not:
Can you guarantee success?
Not:
Will everybody support you?
Not:
Does the spreadsheet work?
The question is:
DO YOU TRUST THE ONE WHO SAID GO?
AND REMEMBER—OBEDIENCE DOESN'T GUARANTEE AN EASY ROAD
Following God does not mean everything immediately becomes comfortable.
Paul obeyed God and encountered opposition.
Moses obeyed and faced Pharaoh.
Nehemiah obeyed and encountered enemies.
The disciples obeyed and faced storms.
Jesus Himself said His followers would experience difficulty.
So don't interpret resistance automatically as evidence you misunderstood God.
Sometimes resistance simply means you're moving.
The question is whether God told you to move in that direction.
If He did—
keep going.
SOMEBODY READING THIS ALREADY KNOWS WHAT THIS IS ABOUT
I don't know your assignment.
But you do.
You've been praying about it.
Thinking about it.
Returning to it.
Putting it away.
Then picking it back up.
You have explained to God every reason it might not work.
Perhaps you've even told yourself:
“Someday.”
Maybe today you don't need another sermon.
Maybe you don't need another sign.
Maybe you don't need another year of analysis.
Perhaps you simply need to do the next thing God has already made clear.
Make the call.
Write the letter.
Start preparing.
Submit the application.
Forgive.
Give.
Serve.
Go.
UNTIE THE BOAT.
DON'T DIE ON THE SHORE TALKING ABOUT DEEP WATER
There is a whole Christian life that can be lived discussing what God could do.
We can preach about faith.
Sing about faith.
Read books about faith.
Quote Scriptures about faith.
Admire other people's faith.
And never actually take a meaningful step ourselves.
James 2:17 reminds us:
“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”
Faith moves.
Not foolishly.
Not recklessly.
Not presumptuously.
But when God says move—
FAITH MOVES.
THE PHILIPPINES WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF OUR “YES”
In 2011, we couldn't see everything that lay ahead.
We certainly couldn't see the complete story.
We didn't know every person.
Every opportunity.
Every challenge.
Every provision.
Every delay.
Every victory.
We simply knew enough to begin preparing to GO.
Looking back, I'm glad we didn't require God to answer every question before we moved.
Because sometimes the answers aren't waiting on the shore.
THEY'RE WAITING SOMEWHERE ALONG THE JOURNEY.
You discover provision while moving.
You meet people while moving.
Doors appear while moving.
Understanding develops while moving.
Faith grows while moving.
And eventually you look backward and realize:
God knew what He was doing all along.
YOUR NET CANNOT CATCH ANYTHING WHILE IT IS FOLDED IN THE BOAT
Peter could have possessed the finest net in Galilee.
It wouldn't have mattered.
The net had to enter the water.
You may possess:
Talent.
Experience.
Education.
Resources.
Ideas.
A calling.
A burden.
A testimony.
A gift.
But what God has placed inside you must eventually be used.
There comes a moment when preparation ends and obedience begins.
LAUNCH OUT
Maybe God isn't asking you to cross an ocean.
Maybe your “deep” is a conversation you've been avoiding.
A ministry you've been postponing.
A person you need to forgive.
A gift you need to use.
A business you need to begin.
A book you need to write.
A mission you need to support.
A church you need to serve.
A person you need to tell about Jesus.
Whatever it is—
if you've genuinely sought God, tested the prompting, found it consistent with His Word, and know He is leading:
DO IT.
Don't give God conditions.
Don't place His instruction permanently on the shelf.
Don't spend years waiting for circumstances that require no faith.
And certainly don't ignore Him.
Launch.
Let down the net.
Trust Him with what happens next.
THERE IS STILL MUCH MORE LAND TO POSSESS
God isn't finished with His Church.
And He isn't finished with you simply because the assignment looks bigger than your ability.
Perhaps that's precisely the point.
If everything God asked us to do could be accomplished entirely through our own strength, resources, intelligence, and connections—
WHY WOULD WE NEED FAITH?
There are still communities to reach.
People to help.
Children to teach.
Families to strengthen.
Churches to plant.
Missionaries to send.
Books to write.
Prayers to pray.
Broken hearts to encourage.
And souls who need Jesus Christ.
God has more.
The question is whether we will leave the shore to discover it.
🚤 WHEN GOD SAYS GO...
Pray.
Discern.
Test what you've heard against Scripture.
Seek wisdom.
Prepare responsibly.
And then—
GO.
Because one day you may look backward and discover that the biggest obstacle standing between you and what God wanted to accomplish was never money.
It wasn't geography.
It wasn't resources.
It wasn't your age.
It wasn't your education.
It wasn't your connections.
It was simply whether you were willing to say:
“NEVERTHELESS AT THY WORD—I WILL.”
The deep is calling.
The harvest is waiting.
The nets are in the boat.
GET OFF THE SHORE.
🙏 A PRAYER FOR COURAGE TO OBEY
Heavenly Father, give us wisdom to recognize Your voice and courage to obey when You speak. Protect us from presumption, but also protect us from disguising fear as wisdom and procrastination as discernment. When You say go, help us prepare and move. When You say wait, give us patience. When You say no, give us humility to accept it. And when You say, “Launch out into the deep,” give us enough faith to untie the boat, leave the shore, and let down our nets. We may not understand everything ahead of us, but we trust the One who does. Let our obedience produce a harvest for Your Kingdom and glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Pilgrim Outreach Ministries International
Your Feet to the Nations
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