Life is about moments.
And there are certain kinds of moments.
There are the moments when we are facing unknown territory – whether by choice or by circumstances. Moments like graduations, marriages, new jobs or promotions, birth of children. Other moments like losing jobs, a devastating diagnosis, loss of financial resources, divorce or loss of relationship, loss of a loved one. Other moments like when we realize we have been comfortable for too long and need to step out in faith. Other moments like when we start to think about coming back to God or trying church again. Any moment that requires faith for the next step – in other words – a step that isn’t easily visible.
There is a point in one of these moments when the reality has set in and we face it and we are left with one key question – “Now what?”
Now what do I do? Now what can I do? Now what do I say? Now who do I turn to? Now what do I stand on? Now what do I believe?
Now what?
One of my main “Now what” moments was after my parents and I said a tearful goodbye on move-in day at college. I solemnly walked back up the hill into the residence hall and passed the drawing room and quickly locked myself in my room. And I sat there for a while thinking, “Now what?” I thought, “Do I stay in this room where it seemed relatively safe and hide in here or do I walk down the hall and introduce myself to the two crazy guys playing indoor soccer in the narrow space down the hall.” And I realized that I couldn’t stay in that room forever. That I was at college to grow and transform and do things differently. I was on my own now and I couldn’t hide in a shell. So I built up my courage, opened the door, walked down the hall, facing the fears of what they might think of me, thinking this was crazy and then introduced myself to Anthony and Chris who would become very treasured friends that year. For me, that walk down the hall changed a lot. It was a breakthrough moment because I learned how to overcome fears and thinking that held me back previously. And I learned that there was something promising on the other side of the fear.
In the above Scripture, Joshua faced the question of “Now what?” The hero of the Israelites, Moses, has died. And while Joshua has been an “aide” to Moses for many years, now it is up to Joshua to lead these people into the promised land. And it wouldn’t be easy, the 40 years in the wilderness had been very difficult, there were many challenges awaiting the people to even acquire the promised land.
Joshua was facing the biggest challenge of his life. And while it doesn’t say it, I think we can imagine and identify with how he might have felt. “Now what.”
But…
But Joshua receives a strong, clear message from the Lord. He reminds Joshua of His Word – and that it would guide him in all that he did. He pointed out to Joshua that within the Word are many promises. God, after all, is a God of promises. Out of the more than 30,000 verses in the Bible, more than 8,000 or roughly 25 percent are about God’s promises. Finally, God commands Joshua to be strong, let go of fears, and take forward steps.
“I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9),” the Lord tells Joshua and it speaks to us today too.
Let me ask you this. If I told you that everything you needed to know to enjoy true “success” in life was found in one book, would you believe me? Would you read it night and day? Would you “meditate” on the words as the Lord tells Joshua too? I know you know this “book” – but we don’t delve into it enough. Why?
Why do we keep operating on the world’s definition of success? Confidence, money, fame, stuff all go away and will mean nothing when we come before the Lord at the end of this earthly existence. Yet, we keep chasing after them. God’s definition of success is faithfulness – meaning did we fight the things of this world to love Him above all and love our neighbors as ourselves. See the difference?
Let me ask you this. Do you trust the chair you are sitting in will remain intact while you are sitting in it? Of course, you believe the promise of the manufacturer that a chair will not break. Ok. Then why do we have such trouble trusting in the promises of Almighty God?!! The God who created this world and us. The God who promises eternal life through faith in His Son Jesus (nothing in this world can take it away (Romans 8:38-39). The God who promises to dwell inside of us through His Holy Spirit – and never leave us. His promises are many and they are true. I can testify to you that He has kept all His promises to me. I may not have all liked the ways He has made them happen – but He is God and I am most certainly not.
So when the Lord says to Joshua that through His Word and Promises, he is commanded to trust and be fearless in the face of this great challenge – it may not be easy, it may be uncomfortable, but he is compelled to listen and obey – and not like a robot – but as a person of faith in a relationship with a purposeful, promising, providential God.
And so it is for us today.
Whatever great challenge you are facing in your life right now, these words, promises and commands are for you too. To whatever you are saying, “Now what?” – I know it is scary. I know it looks impossible right now. Maybe it feels lonely and hopeless.
But for Joshua and for us today, on the other side of the challenge, fear, and impossibility is a promised land – a wonderful, promised place of abundance. And between us and that promised place – is a God that goes before us, alongside us and behind us – leading, providing, encouraging.
If the question is “Now what?” The answer is…”Now I am going to take that first step…in faith.”
Amen.
Discussion Questions
- Are there some situations in your life that cause you to ask “Now What?”
- What are you afraid of? Why? What is holding you back?
- Do you believe God is a God of promises? Why or why not?
- What does a “promised land” look like for you? Is it peace, is it a place, is it a new definition of success, is it a God-honoring goal?
I sort of wrote a post about a similar thing today. Only it was relating to relationships/affairs/growing together or apart. I do believe that christ needs to be the center of all our “now what” moments. And it is only by His grace that I have gotten through my moments like that!