One of the disciplines I regularly incorporate in my life is what I am going to call the random access scripture method before sitting down to work on my business concept and creative sessions. I start with an appropriate resource, which for me is The Bible. I literally open it and read whatever is on the page I open it to and then process the lesson as it speaks to me. If I am going to work on my business, I pull out my John Maxwell Leadership Bible which has a rich selection of leadership insights and notes related to leadership and business. If I am looking to delve into the word to understand context and correlations, I use the NASB Life Application Study Bible for its word for word translation and built in concordance and biblical insights. Whatever your faith background, I recommend this practice of engaging your mind and soul with the wisdom of the ages to ground and direct your creative time.
Today, I opened to the book of Joshua 1, and verses 7 – 9 jumped out to me;
God Commissions Joshua (NASB)
…7“Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. 8“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. 9“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”…
What this passage reminded me of is how we evaluate our priorities in life and when we get that part right, the rest takes care of itself. We are called to be strong and of good courage, not timid and fearful. When we stay focused on the truths that are held evident in our lives and understand our true identity, fear and doubt have no hold on us. We need to have vision and focus to get us through the hard times and know the purpose and direction for our lives. We need to regularly reflect on the promises and dreams we have for our lives. We need to ask ourselves what fears and regrets are holding us back. I would then encourage that we ask what God might have to say about what is holding us back and how we might remove those barriers from success.
The 40 years before Joshua’s commissioning, Moses led the Hebrews out of slavery and bondage out of Egypt after generations of slavery as found in the book of
Exodus 12:40. Their journey to the land God promised them was supposed to take 11 days but due to fear and dismay, they wandered through the desert for 40 years and none of them entered the promised land. Even after the many miracles and provisions during those 40 years, they still did not heed the word of God to be strong and take courage and to step into the promise and potential they were being called into.
When Joshua was around 40 years old, he was sent with 12 other spies into the promised land to evaluate the situation, see
Numbers 13. A recent revelation I heard on this, was they were not sent in to see IF they could take the land, but rather to confirm the prosperity of the land and to plan what they needed to do to prepare to take it. He and Caleb were the only two who came back with a good report. The rest came back afraid because while everything that was promised was true, they looked at the inhabitants of the land and became fearful. It was not until Joshua was almost 80 years old that the people were ready to take hold of their promise and he led the Israelites over the next 30 years to take the land that was promised to them 40 years before.
Joshua was a great leader because he did not let the law depart from his mouth and he meditated on it day and night. He was strong and took courage in the Lord his God and acted in obedience. Because of this, we can read the exciting story of his life in the book of Joshua. There is so much more to unpack from his story. I would encourage you to read it if you get the chance. If you had more time, look up the life of David, Peter, and the other disciples and apostles, and see how they followed this command. I believe it still applies to us today and that we have so much to learn from these stories.
To bring this all home, last November, I took a step into taking hold of my promised land when I quit my job to pursue the calling I believe God has for my life to live intentionally, pursing him and helping to meet the needs of others as he directs me. He promised me that he would guide me, provide for me, and connect me with the people and resources I would need. It was a bold step, like leading a nation to war when you are 80, or Peter stepping out of the boat and walking on water, as recorded in
Matthew 14:29, but it was one I had the promise and potential to pursue and therefore had to be brave and of good courage. As I walk out this journey, I am reminded to not let the book of the law depart from my mouth and to mediate on it day and night. It has been my experience so far in life, that this is the key to being prosperous and successful. When we put our priorities in the right order, everything falls into place.
This blog is the next step in listening to God’s direction and sharing with you the power of story as God moves me into my purpose and His passion. I hope you will follow along with me on this journey and find some inspiration, community, and encouragement to be strong and of good courage. If you are willing, take this challenge;
What brave or courageous step could you take to take hold of your dreams and destiny? What is holding you in bondage from unlocking your potential.
Let’s start a conversation and revolution.
Blessings
– Justin