Have you ever had to stare your dreams in the face? Have you ever had to make a decision that will change life the way it has always been, and even though you have been dreaming it, desiring it; telling God how much you want it and He’d better make it happen soon.
However, when it comes; suddenly you’re not so sure about it anymore?
When you get a chance to step into your future, isn’t it supposed to be amazing, exhilarating, fantabulous, star-jumps and dancing? Yes. But right at this moment I don’t think so. I’m sitting here in my office on the edge of watching one of my own dreams unfold and I’m freaking right out!
Turns out when it comes to change, even if the change of circumstance is something we deeply desire, the actual point of change, the pivot point? No thanks Mack. Major hesitation…
It’s not only me though thank goodness. Father reminded me of something:
The Lord will deliver them to you, and you must do to them all that I have commanded you. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:5-6 (NIV)
Here are the Israelites, on the edge of the Jordan. Moses hasn’t died, this is him speaking to Joshua. The end of the book of Deuteronomy and the beginning of the book of Joshua, have 6 speeches about courage in them.
They were off to take the land they had been promised since God had started talking to their ancestors. They’d had forty years in the desert to learn the lessons of a wilderness season: among others, Gods’ provision, faithfulness and battle winning strategies. Now the entire nation could see the end of the tunnel, and they needed courage to hold their ground and step over the line.
They knew (and we know, because we’ve read the history) it wasn’t going to be easy. They still had to deal with the neighbours. They still had to work through all the same stuff they would have had to if they had moved in the first time around. In one respect, the only point of difference was the timing.
Several thousand years later, Jesus gives us a similar pep talk…
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)
Here, the whole world is heading into the promised land, Jesus the Messiah has fulfilled all the prophetic words given in the OT and now He says, “I’m not promising it will be easy, but I’ve already done the worst part and I leave you my peace. Don’t. Be. Afraid.”
When we’re faced with change, we have a choice. We can choose to step into our inheritance and rise on the lessons we’ve learned during our season in the wilderness, or we can hesitate. We can ignore the times, or be afraid of the change and decline the invitation to push through into our new territory. (Like the Israelites the first time round)
Jesus faced this same dilemma. His decision held the fate of all of creation within it. If He at any stage had decided to turn from the vital point of no return, everything we are experiencing now would be completely different. The enemy would have succeeded in turning the mind of God away from His task, to the saving of His own skin.
We don’t have to carry that burden Praise God.
However, Jesus’ defeat of the enemy, means we now have access to the full power of the triune God.
Whatever change, transition, decision or destiny God is calling us to cross into? We can do it with full knowledge that we have the power of the Resurrected Lord Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit within us, backing us up.
Not to mention Father God and the rest of Heaven with us, cheering us on.
“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:25-27 (NIV)
I am sitting here with you while we face our futures. Whatever it is that you are looking at, I hope you will lay hold of Gods’ courage and peace.
It’s the future. It is good, He has called you to this, He has called me to this, He has called us to this.
No matter what your new season is, your decision, your hesitation point, let’s take His courage and step over the line.
God Bless You Very Much
Anita