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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?
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