Have you ever tried to step out of a boat onto a dock? It seems easy enough at first glance. Just grab hold of something on the dock if you can, lift your foot onto the dock, and step out onto it. For the experienced boatsman, it is that easy. They move swiftly and gracefully from boat to dock. The rest of us, not so much.

There is a moment for the novice as they begin to step out of the boat in which they realize that as they try to move forward, the boat moves backward. For those not used to it, panic sets in. They freeze, unsure of how to respond. The problem is that inaction only makes the situation worse. The distance between boat and dock only grows wider and yet our legs can only split so far. If we straddle the boat and dock, it is only a matter of time before we fall in.

The same situation occurs when it comes to making a decision to give your life to following Christ. We are prone to taking that initial step, and then unsure of our footing, we freeze. It feels different from anything we have experienced before. We lose confidence because of the new situation we find ourselves in. “Was this really a good idea?” we wonder to ourselves.

The problem is that indecision is the most dangerous decision. We let ourselves exist in this no man’s land of surface level faith absent of commitment. In this precarious state we are in most danger of changing winds and currents. We can be swayed the easiest and we are affected the most by outside forces.

Just as bad (or possibly even worse) than stalling out in our decision for Christ because of lack of confidence is the danger of feeling overly confident straddling boat and land. We can become so close to sure footing that we forget that we are not yet there. Having one foot on the rock that is Christ is not the same as standing on it.

God is calling us to him, and that requires a step of faith on our part. It’s new and different at first, and that can be scary, but the only way to do it is with commitment. We must boldly step forward, and when we do, we find that the stability and peace of being planted on solid ground is a blessing in this life and in the next.

If you want to take that step and are just not sure how, use the wisdom of the boatsman and grab a helping hand from someone who has already stepped out. Reach out to family and friends who are already Christians and they will be overjoyed to walk alongside of you or you can reach out to me any time. Commit and take that step of faith today into the loving arms of Christ.

People’s EC Church is located at 216 Wagner St., Lehighton.