Joshua 1:9 – have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Once a youth worker and I were going to see a concert with a couple of our students. As we were heading out of the suburbs, we suggested grabbing some McDonalds so we could just eat on the way downtown. The students protested saying they wanted to eat some place cool in the city. Knowing that we had plenty of time before the concert started, we kept driving. After we found a place to park we started walking. And walking. And walking. We probably walked eight or ten blocks trying to find the perfect restaurant.
Don’t get me wrong, we passed plenty of places that would have been delicious, but each suggestion was met with, “I don’t think I’d like that,” “that place looks sketchy,” or some other version of no. Until we turned a corner and they saw the perfect place to eat. It was a different McDonalds. My eyes rolled so hard they almost fell out of my head. All this work just to end up where we started.
There are times in our lives when we ignore great things and settle for what we know. In Joshua 1, Moses has just died, and God is calling Joshua to take on the leadership role. Moses was definitely a tough act to follow. He did miracles. He went head-to-head with the Pharaoh. He led an entire nation. This would cause most people a little trepidation, but Joshua knew the Lord was with him and Moses had helped to prepare him.
You might not be called to lead a nation into the promised land, right now. Maybe you’ve just been called to take a small risk for the Lord. Big or small we are called to be strong and courageous because the Lord is with us wherever we go. When you are called to step out of your comfortable life, do it boldly. Even if it’s something as simple trying a new restaurant. Every big change in your life started with a small change.
Pray and ask God what small steps you can take today.