What Do I Do Now?

             

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he end of the semester is always a hectic and challenging time.  People are cramming for final exams, working hard to complete final papers, and trying every so hard to get the next phase of their lives in order.  In fact, what happens after graduation causes more stress than in preparing for it.

After spending years in the books, the graduate is faced with an even more difficult question.  The years of preparation, all the time logged in the library, and all the knowledge gained are not sufficient to answer this simple question, “What do I do now?”  Standing on the mountain top of accomplishment only means that the valley of further challenges lies ahead.

The top of that mountain, while invigorating and exciting, is also very unnerving.  Once you are at the top, the only other direction is down; but down into what?  That is the great question and that is the great challenge.  Fortunately, as children of God, we do not face this question or this situation alone.  The Old Testament story of Joshua is a good example of preparation, graduation, and continuation in the plan God has chosen for those who love him.

For forty years, Joshua had been under the direct leadership and instruction of Moses.  He and Caleb were the only spies who believed the land could be taken and encouraged the people not to abandon God.  They people didn’t listen and they wandered in the desert for forty years.  When Moses set up the tent of meeting where he talked to God, Joshua was chosen to guard that tent.  So, whenever Moses spoke to God, Joshua wasn’t too far away.  He both saw and heard all that went on between Moses and God.

In addition, when God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai, Joshua was the only person to accompany Moses on the mountain.  You see, all this was preparation for the role Joshua would play after Moses’ death.  He was in training, learning how to lead, learning how to trust God, and learning how live in God’s provision.  This requires much study and much time spent in the classroom alone with God.

Deuteronomy 31:23, however, shows what happened on Joshua’s graduation day. The Lord gave this command to Joshua son of Nun: "Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you."  Can’t you just see Joshua, diploma in hand, a smile on his face, feeling a strong sense of accomplishment?  Then God informs him that he is to replace Moses.  He goes pale, gets a lump in this throat, and says, “Okay, now what do I do?”

We need only look at God’s words to Joshua to get the answer to his question.  God told Joshua to be strong and courageous.  In other words, Joshua was to be strong by depending on God and trusting in him.  The result of this action is twofold: 1) Joshua will bring the people into the land God promised.  In other words, he will have a definite role to play in God’s plan for his people, and 2) God himself will be with him; Joshua will not go alone!

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oday you may be wondering what to do next, what step to take, and which direction you should choose.  Believe me, you are not alone!  Many Christians find themselves in Joshua’s situation, asking the same question he did.  God’s answer is the same.  “Be strong and courageous and I will be with you.”  The view from the mountain is wonderful, but the real test of leadership, the real test of faith, and the real test of trust come when we leave the mountain and follow God into the valley.  Do you have your hiking boots on today?