Posts
Now as Egypt has to face its’ future, so do you and I! As Joshua was given the reigns of leadership after Moses’ death he was fearful of his future. What will this look like? Will the people and all their problems he inherited follow him as they followed Moses? Will they rebel again? Will they soon ask for a new election and leader?
Now what?
Understandably, Joshua was afraid of the change he didn’t ask for. With fears of the unknown God told Joshua, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go (Josh. 1:9).”
Joshua’s and Israel’s promised future was now right in front of them. Now what? Time to embrace it!
Like Joshua, we can think, “Now that sounds good.” But for some of us our paralyzing fear from our past can quench our future, even when it’s staring us right in our face.
God was telling Joshua, as He does you and I, that we can exchange our fear of change for our divine future! Abraham risked everything by leaving his homeland and family for the privilege of being part of God’s plan. Moses, David and Elijah left the secure and predictable to follow God’s call.
Take courage that God tells us that HE can do far more than we could ever dream (Eph.3:20). His desire is for us to soar, yet in order to do so it requires change. If we are not willing to accept and embrace transition we will be a people without dreams. Look in the mirror, like it or not, you’re changing, you’re not what you used to be.
For some, our present is really our past. Many attempt to go to a place that no longer exists, trying to return to a time and not a place. Some of us even try to keep others stuck in their time and space, hoping that time might stand still.
Unfortunately, many have become safely and comfortably lulled into complacency or so consumed with their own pain that they have unintentionally become blind. Blind to those around them, blind to the real world that God has called us to engage with. Like it or not we will have to face unwanted change.
Now what?
After forty years of wandering, Israel was finally about to enter their Promised Land. As God instructed Joshua, the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant had to take the first step into the Jordan River during its’ flood stage. I’m guessing the priests were trembling with fear!
But, as soon as their feet touched the water’s edge the water stopped flowing. The priests stood right in the middle of the dry riverbed until the entire nation of Israel crossed over.
We will all have to face our own Jordan River some day and when we do we don’t have to face it alone. The Israelites crossed over together! In the middle of your Jordan you can deepen your community.
Why go through your change alone? Wouldn’t you want to go through your Jordan with some real encouragement? Then get more intimately involved by serving or joining a small group in your local church and as you do, you’ll grow together in deeper meaningful relationships.
Just like the priests in the middle of the Jordan, be encouraged that God is present with YOU right in the middle of it all! “When you go through deep waters I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.” Isaiah 43:2
Stay tuned next time as we learn from a woman who rocked her world by maximizing her amazing opportunity!
