Last night at our church leader's meeting, I shared some thoughts from the life of Joshua as an encouragement for us to be courageous leaders today. Here is a summay:
Joshua 1:1-9. After the death of Moses the servant of God, God spoke to Joshua, Moses ‘assistant: "Moses my servant is dead. Get going. Cross this Jordan River, you and all the people. Cross to the country I'm giving to the People of Israel. I'm giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on – just as I promised Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon east to the Great River, the Euphrates River – all the Hittite country – and then west to the Great Sea.
It's all yours. All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you. In the same way I was with Moses, I'll be with you. I won't give up on you; I won't leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going.
And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed. Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take. [The Message Bible]
This is a new day for Israel. Over 600 years have passed since the promise of land was given to Abraham. But now the next stage of the adventure begins! The long awaited moment – a dream becoming reality. God commissions Joshua afresh for the task ahead …
1. Accept your God-given mission.
Joshua 1:2, 7. “Get going. Cross this Jordan River, you and all the people … Give it everything you have, heart and soul …”
God’s eternal purposes are outworked through the generations of the righteous. Each generatiopn has three tasks: (1) reach back and receive their inheritance and heritage from the previous generation, (2) run their own race by serving their generation, and (3) passing the baton to the next generation. God’s promises to Abraham included a promised land. Moses helped deliver Israel out of Egypt. Now it is Joshua’s time – move forward, get going, cross the river, let go of the past and embrace the future. Joshua was challenged to embrace his calling – wholeheartedly (vs.7) – to accept his mission.
The Jesus Mission as contained in the Great Commission (Mt.28. Acts 1:8) is a similar moment. This comprehensive, holistic mission was given to 11 people! They were a bit slow to get going, but eventually they did … and there's still more to do! “Cross the Jordan” is similar to “Go into all world.”
Jesus wants every church to be a Mission Church and every Christian living their life "on mission".
What about you? What is your personal calling and contribution to the Jesus mission? What has God asked YOU to do? What’s your primary calling? Fulfil your ministry. Focus on your assignment. Get clarity on this.
The well-known movie series Mission Impossible begins with a mission invitation: "Your mission, should you choose to accept it …. is …"
Put aside any doubts, fears or uncertainties and accept your God-given mission. Maybe for the first time … maybe for the hundredth time! Say “YES” again.
It's time for “ALL in!”
[Part 2 tomorrow]