Staying in the Boat - Jeff Lucas

On the day of my confirmation I was gifted a book from my mum’s friend Debby. A woman who’s faith and wisdom regularly inspires me. As, it seems, does her book choices. The book was John Ortberg’s ‘If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat’. A rousing call to step out in faith, as Peter did in Matthew 14:29.

It was an essential read in my formative years of faith, inspiring me to live boldly and move out of my comfort zone. A feeling shared by so many who have been inspired by Ortberg’s inviting read since its release in 2001.

So imagine my confusion when Jeff Lucas’ new book title announced that actually, we should be staying in the boat. Have we then reached the peak of our comfort zone? Is this instead the time to be settling down inside the boat with comfortable deck shoes (are there such a thing?) and perhaps a hot chocolate?

He’s quick to address this. Declaring that he too has been inspired by John Ortberg but that not all the disciples were called to step out of the boat. In fact, it was only Peter. The rest were required to faithfully stay put.

It’s the first of many, short, snappy lessons that Lucas bestows.

Like a modern day Psalmist, he uses the benefit of hindsight and his years as a Christian, husband, father, grandfather and author to bring wisdom to almost every aspect of life, and in one instance, the topic of death.

From gratitude to brokenness and to unsung heroes. Some of the anecdotes are from his writing in Premier Christianity, whereas some are new thoughts shared especially for ‘Staying in the Boat’. They can be read in one sitting or dipped into for some inspiration before you carry along the way.

So whether you feel emboldened to step out into stormy seas or actually, you think God might be telling you to wait faithfully, pick up ‘Staying in the Boat’ and be inspired.

Staying in the Boat (and other things I Wished I’d Known) is available to buy from Eden.co.uk