Most of us would say we want to trust God. But if we look closely at the way we’ve built our lives, we may discover something uncomfortable: we want to trust God while making sure we never actually have to.

We plan carefully. We protect our schedules. We manage our money. We minimize risk. None of those things are inherently bad. Wisdom matters. But it’s possible to arrange our lives so securely around our own ability that faith rarely becomes necessary.

In Mark 6:7–13, Jesus sends His disciples out on a mission—and then intentionally removes many of the things that would have made them feel prepared. No bread. No bag. No money. Not even an extra shirt.

Before He takes anything away, though, He gives them something: His authority.

They aren’t being sent because they’re ready. They’re being sent because Jesus has called them, and He wants them to discover that His authority is bigger than their identity and that they can depend on Him beyond their own ability.

That’s a lesson we can’t learn from the edge of the pool.

At some point, following Jesus requires getting into water where our feet can’t touch. Maybe it’s initiating a conversation we’ve been avoiding. Maybe it’s offering to pray with someone right there in the moment. Maybe it’s generosity that actually requires trust. Maybe it’s simply creating enough margin in our schedule to be available when God puts an unexpected opportunity in front of us.

We don’t need to manufacture reckless situations to prove our faith. We simply need to obey when Jesus leads us somewhere beyond our control.

And what happens if it doesn’t go well?

Jesus prepares His disciples for that too. Some people won’t welcome them. Some won’t listen. Their responsibility isn’t to guarantee an outcome; it’s to faithfully go where they’ve been sent. In the Kingdom of God, faithfulness is success, not outcomes.

That changes everything.

We’re free to take the step even when we might stumble. We’re free to speak even when the conversation might be awkward. We’re free to obey without knowing exactly how everything will turn out.

You don’t learn to trust Jesus before you step into the water. You learn to trust Him by discovering that He is there when you do.

Reflection Questions

1. Where have you structured your life so carefully around security, comfort, or control that you rarely need to depend on God?
2. What is one specific place Jesus may be inviting you to step beyond your ability and trust His authority instead of waiting until you feel completely ready?
3. How would your willingness to obey change if you genuinely believed that faithfulness—not a particular outcome—is success?

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