Stepping in Flood Stage Water

"As soon as the priests who carried the ark of the LORD-the LORD of all the earth- set their feet in the water of the Jordan, the waters that were flowing down stream were cut off and stood in a heap" (Joshua 3:13)

Joshua told the people to cross the Jordan. At this point, it was believed to be at flood stage.

Have you ever seen flood stage water? It is terrifying. It is deeper than normal. It is rapid. It is filled with debris that is sloshing to and fro. In Texas, it would have snakes and fire ants. I know because I have had to walk through it. I have no idea what critters it would have had in the Jordan but I imagine there were some.

Joshua told this huge group of people to get to the other side. They would have little children and little ewes. They would have carts and blankets and kitchen ware. They would have grandma's and grandpa's needing extra care.

Joshua said, "Go!"

It took the leaders to take the first steps. Someone had to be first to take the plunge. As soon as the priests stepped into the water God separated the waters and provided safe passage for the whole nation of Israel to cross. Can you image the numbers of people?

Taking that first step is terrifying. There are a thousand "what ifs" that try to slay us. The unknown is so hard to face. Sometimes, I would rather stay frozen and not move to the otherside. I would rather stay in my current mess rather than face an unknown mess. But, when I do that I do not get to walk in the miraculous! 

Right now I feel like we just crossed the Jordan. We have talked for a few years about moving my parents in. It was overwhelming. Daunting. A huge undertaking!  But once we took the steps it was so freeing and we had the privilege of seeing God do the miraculous! He moved the flood stage waters for us and gave us dry land to cross over. He sent the people we needed to move forward when we needed it. 

But it took the faith step to get in the water first. He has allowed us to enjoy the beauty of faith walking and the growth it gives us. 

Where might God being asking you to step into the water so He can part it for you? It is worth the plunge!

Raise up Leaders who Seek the LORD First

Look at this cool chart on the difference between Moses and Joshua. As I read through it I wondered if God is raising up our next generation of leaders to be like Joshua! 

As justice is sought in our nation and around the world the only way it will be won is if the leaders like Joshua stand up!

We need leaders that will fight the battle face to face. 

We need leaders that will confront laziness and fear of the enemy. 

We need tough leaders that will not put up with compromise in the WORD OF GOD on any topic! The message will always be the same. The methods must change. 

We need leaders that will tell people to get up and dig their own wells or in today's language get off your lazy toosh and take care of yourself and stop looking for hand outs. 

I think my struggle as a leader might be that I am a mix of Moses and Joshua. I think my flesh takes over and I act like Joshua in a sinful way by reacting and not seeking the LORD first. 

My heart also longs to be the peacemaker like Moses but I tend to be more of a peacekeeper. I think by just listening and not doing I can keep the peace. Ugh!  That never works. Peacemaking requires strength, resilience, and grit. There will always be a "do" in order to make peace! 

In both cases when I mess up, it is because I did not seek the LORD first. Ugh.

Father, rise up in me the necessary leadership skills to make Your will known and accomplished. Help me to release leaders around me to be like Joshua. Use them to tear down the walls that are barriers to Your will and plan. In Jesus name amen

Generational Leadership

I just had a thought as I read about Joshua. Joshua was a second generation leader that followed Moses. He knew how to follow and let Moses lead. 

Joshua was also a first generation military leader to those that fought the battle of Jericho. He knew how to take the lead and get the battle won. If you notice we are told he sought the LORD!

Joshua had leaders under him that were the third generation followers to Moses and second to him and so on it goes. He knew how to unleash them to get the job done.

Who are you the second generation leader to? Who are you the first generation leader to? Do you see generational growth happening to the second, third, and fourth generation? 

Ask questions and know who is being raised up. Write them down and pray for them by name.  

How are you seeking to honor and bless? Where do you need to invest and where do you need to release and unleash? Ask God to give you clear steps in what to do and say. This is the type of prayer God loves to answer because He loves to bless and honor even if it is in discipline.

I will confess it is always very hard for me when the LORD reveals a season of release. I love my people and I do not want to let go, but HE convicted me a long time ago that if I do not release those that follow me I will suffocate them and hurt their leadership growth. I have to remember my season of hunger to be unleashed so that I let them go and grow. This is when generational influence impacts the next generation positively.

Who do you need to follow? 

Who do you need to invest in?

Who might you need to release to go do their thing?