Expansion.

Matthew 14:25-31

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.  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.  “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Inspiration.

Often times, we are inspired.  We are awed by what we see.  If we’re lucky, the inspiration will be contained—prevented from bleeding over into worshipping.  How quickly, though, we jump to putting another human on a pedestal, so high up that we are no longer inspired—now we envy.  And, before we know it, envy turns into jealousy—which leads to pure hatred.  

If we remain there, though, on the level of inspiration, we will find that what another human can do, then, so can we.  I know, we’ve heard that message before. But this time, try really believing it—take another shot at seeing life from that perspective.

Come.

Once the belief is resonating within your bones: the idea that you too are capable of YOUR own picture of greatness—then you might be ready.  Ready for what exactly?  Well, to take some kind of stand…a step towards what you’ve been trying to suppress.  Believe it or not, you expend just as much energy ignoring your desires as you do by acting on them.   

Consider for a moment: what is it that you believe is for YOU?  What do you sense you are capable of doing and achieving? The acknowledgement is a step.  The acknowledgment is powerful—it’s the first step.  It’s you starting up the car.  You haven’t put it into drive just yet, but your intention is to get on the road. Route 95, perhaps?

I Must Go.

In 2014, for me, walking on water looked like packing my car up and moving to Georgia for Chiropractic school.  It was a decision I leaned into after consistently asking the Divine:  what is my next step? I asked the question, with intention.  And—when the answer finally came, it was met (initially) with inner peace, relief.  But, then, I began to place my guidance up against reality.  I began to share my vision with others.  Little by little, it became harder to remain grounded and centered in my decision.  Eventually, I realized that in order to go, to enter that next phase of my life—it would require an expansion in how others saw me.  Above all, I would have to acknowledge this new level of being: listening and allowing myself to be guided in this way. I had to trust that I wasn’t crazy, that my intention was enough.  

Walking on water could look like stepping out of a toxic job situation because you know, deep within, that your higher self is calling you to do so.  Walking on water may look like filing for a divorce, because you are no longer willing to remain in a suffocating relationship.  Walking on water may look like saying you’re sorry so that you can finally move on.  Walking on water may look like declaring that you are going to reach out for help…because handling this situation on your own is not working.

Hopefully you are beginning to realize that we all have seasons in our lives when we are being called to expand, to walk on water. Although its what we want inside, its not an easy, natural, or comfortable process.  If we don’t understand that, then we immediately arrive to a stop sign instead of yielding.  

Before you go: get clear, be sure & let your intention do the rest.

If you’re inspired in any area of your life right now, know (and trust) its for a reason.  That inspiration is touching something down inside of you that’s waiting to be acknowledged.  Perhaps, its your divine light.   

If you decide you want to be curious about the magnitude of your inspiration…the insight it may be trying to reveal, be careful.  You’re now beginning to stand up in the boat.  You haven’t stepped off, but you deciding to stand is a major demonstration of your will.  By standing, you are sacrificing the old, smaller part of you.  You may experience tightness somewhere within your body.  The voices inside your head, the ones that are used to remaining seated and comfortable (staring at other people live out their dreams), will try to convince you you’re crazy.  Acknowledge those voices and that feeling of restraint— understand what you’re doing.  Understand that CHOOSING to stand, although bold, also comes with necessary consequences.

Standing, you will soon realize there is an advantage:  you can now see in which direction you must go.  You’ll begin to sense where you are being called.

But here we go again—those feelings and voices come to the surface. You’re ready, but you’re nervous. Acknowledge your inner experience. Acknowledge how the world around you seems to be coming against you—acknowledge that things seem dark. This is all an illusion. This is all stuff that must be emptied out of you, before you can touch and survive out there on the water. If you can let what comes up go, you will reap a beautiful reward.  

Whatever you do, don’t look back.  Whatever you do, don’t step back into the boat.  Your intention has guided you to this point and it will see you through. Your intention, is your weapon.  

Dr. Darrien Jamar