It’s New Year’s Day weekend and everyone in ministry is very tired. Every parent is tired. Every salesperson is tired. Maybe everyone everywhere is a little tired and ready to get back to a predictable routine. We love the sparkle and special of the Christmas season, but we’re ready to cross over into 2017.
Even if we may feel a little bit like this:
Sunday I had the privilege of preaching at our church and I loved diving into the story of Joshua leading the Israelites across the Jordan river in Joshua 1-4.
We all have Jordan moments and we’re all at a crossing of sorts as we go into 2017. There is lots to learn from Joshua in this account, but one thing l thought I’d share with you is from Joshua 4:2
When the whole nation was finally across, God spoke to Joshua: “Select twelve men from the people, a man from each tribe, and tell them, ‘From right here, the middle of the Jordan where the feet of the priests are standing firm, take twelve stones. Carry them across with you and set them down in the place where you camp tonight.’”
After they have prepared,
after the Ark, representing the presence of the Lord has gone ahead
after the waters of the Jordan have been pulled back,
after the Israelites have crossed over,
God sends them back to carry out 12 stones. He has them pile those 12 stones as a memorial – a faith that points back to God’s faithfulness.
Think about what you are carrying out of 2016.
Think back over each month. What might God want you to go back and remember to take out?
Resilience? Trust? Patience? Strength?
Are there experiences that could be millstones that God wants to make into stepping stones?
Are there things that could be stumbling blocks that God wants to make into building blocks?
Are there things you may have a tendency to trip over that God wants you to triumph over with His help?
Maybe talk to Him about all these stones. And embrace a faith that carries out.
