After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses.” Joshua 1:1-3
The loss of a leader paired with a fresh command from the Lord became Israel’s invitation to start receiving his presence in a new way and at a new pace. It seems their waiting in the wilderness was coming to a close and the pace started to pick up, while at the same time grief was setting in. Emotional and family tensions must have been thick in the air.
In such a large community, feelings were likely all over the map. Some may have felt excitement and wanted to run full steam ahead into God’s promises. Some may have resisted the new pace because they were stuck in grief. Or perhaps God’s presence became sweet to them during the wilderness and they couldn’t imagine it any other way. Some may have questioned God and his new command or found it difficult to accept Joshua as the new leader.
Regardless of where we find ourselves, we must admit this is a new chapter for South Fellowship Church. One full of loss and grief like we talked about last week, yet one full of new invitations from the Lord. As we follow a new leader, we follow him as he follows Christ. We must press into God’s presence in a new way and at a new pace. It will likely feel different than before, but we choose to look for God’s continued presence with us and trust God to continue to write a good story in our midst.
Take a moment today to reflect on God’s presence in this new chapter at South Fellowship Church.
1. How do you recognize God’s presence?
2. Where are you recognizing him in our leadership transition?
By Yvonne Biel
