Walking on water - no footprints

The story of Peter walking on water never fails to mesmerise—like a storm-churned sea that settles under the gaze of Jesus, there’s something endlessly captivating about it.

It’s not just about Peter, though he tends to grab our attention because, well, we see ourselves in his boldness and his blunders. But look closer; this story is loaded with other figures, questions, and wonder.

There’s Jesus, of course—the only true Hero on the water, who, with just a word, makes the impossible a reality. He doesn’t just stroll across the storm-tossed waves; He calls others to do the same. And then, as if that weren't enough, He empowers them to follow His lead. Imagine it: the Lord of all creation calmly stepping over the boundaries of nature, then inviting a mere man—Peter—to join Him in defying every known law of physics. No life jacket, no safety net, just a call to step out.

And then, over in the boat, we have the rest of the disciples. Eyes wide, mouths hanging open, no doubt too shocked to speak. They don’t know how to walk on water. They aren’t even sure if they want to. Did they wonder what it felt like? Was the water firm or strangely buoyant? Did Peter feel a surge of divine courage when Jesus said, “Come”? We don’t know, because they didn’t ask.

When Peter steps out, he walks with just enough faith to carry him a few precious steps before he sinks. And yet, even those steps are history-making. He’s walking toward God Himself, yet he leaves no footprints behind him on the waves—nothing but a story that would be told and retold for generations. The narrative doesn’t measure his strides, calculate his speed, or describe his posture. The action moves quickly, gathering us up in its momentum. Peter steps out, starts strong, stumbles, and then—just as suddenly—Jesus catches him, and it’s over.

And perhaps that’s where you find yourself, somewhere in the echoes of this story. You’re either still in the boat, eyes glued to the one bold enough to step out, or you’re Peter, daring to test the waters of faith—only to feel the winds of doubt.

The truth here is compelling: one person in that boat saw the impossible and asked to join in. He didn’t wait for an explanation or take a safety poll. He simply made a move. Others watched, holding back, maybe too cautious to even whisper their questions.

Peter leaves no trace on the water, but he leaves a story. And stories are sometimes better than footprints; they linger longer, travel farther, and stir something in those who hear them. What story will you leave? The saying goes that the opportunity of a lifetime must be seized in the lifetime of the opportunity. You may not always see the full map, but when Jesus says “Come,” step out boldly. Walk where He calls, without waiting for perfect conditions, without needing every question answered. Let your story speak of His astonishing grace, that He called you to walk a road—or even waves—you couldn’t manage on your own.

In the end, Jesus is still the only One who truly walks on water, but He loves inviting others to come out and join Him in the impossible.

It’s an invitation to a marvellous journey, one only He could author, because He alone is the awesome God who doesn’t just lead us to safety but calls us into adventure. And somehow, it’s in taking those trembling steps toward Him that we find our lives brimming with a story worth telling.