What must it have been like? What are we to learn from their example? Much.
One account stood out in particular:
Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.
Matt 4:18-22
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matt 14:22-33
Truly, though I was not worried. It appears for me such an overwhelming comfort to know that circumstances that could have jeopardized my safety were so far out of my hands that I was happy to rest in the truth that God is sovereign.
However, I could not but conclude that I too am more worried about the things at home, the surroundings that are familiar, the circumstances I falsely believe I have control over. Like Peter, riding in a boat on an ordinary evening became overwhelmed with the storm, I too have been guilty of lacking trust. Peter must have faced a storm before, perhaps for hours the winds blew and he and the disciples grew tired. How often do we grow worn and weary with the routine, even though I have struggled with it before?
Yet, just as I am confident in Christ's grace and protection for the "big things" in life, I must also walk in obedience and faith that He will likewise be faithful in all the "small things" that I also do not have control over. When I am at work, at home, sharing lunch with a coworker, studying, flying, filling my schedule - if we tell the Lord we will walk, then we can trust Him to hold us, go before and behind us. The wind is not in our control, but we know our Creator and the Giver of Life. And as He is sovereign in the Middle East, so also is He among the waves of today and tomorrow.
Our eyes must be on Christ with every step, not just the first.
"O ye of little faith, why did ye doubt?" Matt 14:31