What's Your Next Step?
Change is hard. For some people it is easy as cake. They love change. But for others of us (yes, I said "us") change is down right difficult. There is comfort in things staying the same. We are able to rest assure in the certain...certain of who will be there, certain of what will be there when we get to where we have always gone. Things remaining the same also allows for us not to step up to the plate of new responsibility. In my rusty, trusty Bible, I am being reminded of Joshua, the assistant to the Israelites leader Moses. He was appointed and anointed to take over for Moses once Moses died. It is recorded in Joshua 1 that YHWH gave Joshua very specific instructions. YHWH reminded Joshua of what was to come "Moses my servant is dead...you will lead these people..." (vv2-6). Joshua's role changed when his boss Moses took his last breath. The scripture text does not tell us if Joshua talked back to YHWH (like I would have) or if he cried out to YHWH in fear (like I do) but YHWH understood the situation. Change is difficult. Change in scary. But oh so necessary.
Are you nervous about making that next step? Are you being faced with the decision to start something new or revamp something old? Do you feel God instructing you to bring to an end something in your life that is clearly not bringing God glory? Take God's instruction to Joshua in Joshua 1 as encouragement for you to transition from one season to the next, from one position to the next, from one location to the next:
6) Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. 7) “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8) Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Now you go and be courageous to be all that God has called you to be!
