Years ago, I had to speak at a large event. I was the new person in the ministry and was asked to talk about what the year would hold. The woman who introduced me however, spent a full 10 minutes going on and on about how extraordinary my predecessor was. It was intimidating to say the least. After all that, she said, “here is Donna Dyck who has taken her place”... and that was it. I prayed a simple prayer: “Father, unless You go with me, I do not want to continue”. Somehow a small vestige of peace crept into my heart. The Lord met me on stage and things went really well and I was deeply thankful.
I think of Joshua as he stood on the cusp of entering into the promised land. He followed in the footsteps of Moses; I wonder if he was feeling at all the way I felt. How often do we struggle with confidence to do exactly what Jesus is asking us to do? Sometimes He does ask us to do some brave things! Sometimes it is something no one has done before. We struggle with feeling intimidated! Yet we take the risk.
When we were thinking and praying over saying yes 30-some-odd years ago to come and pastor in downtown Toronto, it felt very risky, if not downright crazy. The pay was extremely low, we had 4 kids, the church was not well established. We couldn’t afford to live in downtown Toronto, yet we were confident God was calling us and would somehow make a way, and He did. He went before us and that made all the difference!
I love Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will go with you wherever you go.”
As you consider the year ahead of you, perhaps there are some mountains you will need to climb or new pathways that must be taken. Know that The Lord your God is with you! He says to you and I the same thing He said to Joshua: “Be strong and courageous”. Our confidence is not in ourselves, rather it is in the One who goes before us and will meet us, but it requires some steps of faith on our part. I wish that in this journey we find ourselves, there were more snap your fingers together and voila.... everything’s perfect now. Life is seldom like that unfortunately. The great news is that we are not alone and God promises to meet us as we look to Him. He makes the way! He teaches us many important lessons on the way!
Dear Father,
Thank You for being with me as I think of the year ahead and the known and unknown challenges that are ahead of me. I do ask for strength and courage as I think of what is coming my way. I know You will meet me there!
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen