Wandering to Wonder - Joshua 4:21-24

Recently, our (21-month-0ld) son has been entertaining us by putting his blanket over his head and "wooo-ing" like a ghost. If that isn't funny enough, he will sometimes come walking down the hall with the blanket over his head, not knowing exactly where the walls and corners are. So, on occasion, when he does this, he'll smack into a wall or a corner. Of course, he's not going fast enough to hurt himself. Other times, he'll just walk around in the living room, bumping into things before he tries to "scare" us by being a ghost or one of the Backyardigan episode characters, the Moose of the Mist.

As he wanders around and makes us laugh, I wonder how many times that God may be laughing at us as we wander around. I think of my son as being silly; God must look at us and think we're being silly. Specifically, pertaining to the situations where we are making choices that may cause us to wander around a little more before we realize we need to take the blinders off to know where we're going.

Can you imagine what it would have been like to wander around in the wilderness for forty years? This wasn't that big of a place, but imagine walking all over the United States (or your country) for forty years. Don't you think you would have seen quite a bit of it in that amount of time? The area where they were at was not nearly as big as the United States, so they probably were seeing some similar areas more than once.

Yesterday, we looked at the text where the Israelites finally were able to cross over to the Promised Land. The Land was not without it's fair share of challenges. As we'll see, there are battles to confront. However, they finally were able to go over to this Land that they'd been wondering about for quite some time. Now is that time. Here are some applications to choose from to use this week as you try to relate to going from 'wandering to wonder' with the Israelites...

1. All came to an end - When we're involved/caught up with something that seems like there is no end in sight, it is nice to know that we've gotten through to the end. If you're in the middle of a situation, there will be an end to it. Hopefully you won't have to be in it for 40 years! If you've been able to get out of a situation, tell God "thanks" for getting you through it and for the lessons you learned.
2. Passing over isn't always easy - Why did God choose for the Israelites to have to pass through water, again, to get to where He was wanting them to go? Here's a possibility, He doesn't want us to have such an easy victory that we don't remember Him. I think we need to see Him as we pass to a place of 'promise'. God didn't lead His people to a place and then tell Joshua, "You're here now, this is it". The journey needed to come with dependence on God. God told the people the Promised Land is on the other side of the Jordan. "Ok, how are we going to get there?" God receded the waters, gave them the Ark (of the Covenant) to look at - reminding them of Him - and they proceeded to trek across. Your journeys may be intermixed with a message of "here's a river to cross". Where you must put your trust in Him to get you across it. He will, and most likely give you dry land to do it, just like the Israelites. However, if you have mud to trudge through, maybe that is a reminder to think about Him in your slowed journey across.
3. Wonder, wonder, wonder - It takes my attention away from my difficulties or stresses when I begin to wonder how God is going to use me today. In what situation, with whom, for whom, etc. Be a light to someone and show them who lives in you!

Forty years are finally over. The Israelites are able to be in the land Yahweh had promised. They can put these recent years behind them. The Israelites are going to "take the land" that God has promised...victory is theirs! By the way, it is also ours!...cool, huh!?

Are you going around with a blanket on your head? Take it off and open your eyes to the wonderments of God!

Opening my eyes to the possibilities!

Clean Up Before Crossing - Joshua 3:2-5

Going out on the town? If so, you will probably make sure that you look nice - from head to toe. You will probably wear a special outfit, make sure your hair looks good, and put on perfume/cologne to top it off. As you head out the door you are feeling pretty good about yourself.

One thing is for sure, you won't leave looking just like you rolled out of bed or like you've been working in dirt all day. You want to make sure you're cleaned up before you go out.

Getting "ready" for the day seems to be a logical response before heading out of the house, especially if you are doing something social. You will probably do some things under the category of hygiene - wash your hair, bathe, shave, style your hair, apply cosmetics, brush teeth, paint fingernails/toenails, etc.

As Joshua was about to lead the people to the Promised Land, a land they had been looking forward to for years, they were told to clean themselves up before they crossed. Yesterday, we looked at this passage, focusing on verse 5 of chapter 3, where they were told this command. As one gets ready to approach God, it is important that they are cleaned up. Moses told the people to do this (Exodus 19:10-11). The Sacrificial System required this by the sinner, before approaching God. Jesus discussed this when He mentioned getting right with your brother before laying down your gift at the altar (Matthew 5:21-26). Paul mentioned it in I Corinthians 11:28 pertaining to the Lord's Supper. So it was pretty much a concept that spreads throughout the Bible.

As we think about applying the idea of cleaning up before crossing, here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

1. Clean Heart - One of David's famous Psalms is the 51st, in that psalm, the words "create in me a clean heart, O God" are mentioned. Occasionally, as you pray, ask God to help clean up your heart. Clean it of rage, malice, anger, gossip, hate, impure thoughts, resentment, self-righteousness, jealousy, envy, etc. Keep your heart clean so that you can approach Him.
2. Clean Mind - Sometimes when you speak of the heart and mind, you are thinking very similarly. The difference here is that I am speaking of just "clearing" your mind as you approach Him. Try to get rid of the distractions. Try to focus on approaching Him - whether it is in prayer, song, or listening.
3. Waiting on Him - One of my mom's famous lines when I was a kid was "your times comin'". I hated hearing it (because I heard it all the time). She would say this because I wanted to do things that my older siblings were able to do and I wasn't old enough yet. I have a tendency to treat God with a sense of impatience. I want things soon, if not now! However, there have been times I've had to wait on something which allowed me to focus on my needs rather than my wants. It allowed me to make a better decision, rather than going on an impulse.
4. God Will do Great Things - It is cool to see God work. I get goosebumps when He does things that just wow me. When seeds that are planted start to show first signs of life. When you get to see a result of the dots that have been connected through your interaction with people. When people's hearts are softened and changed.
5. (Great Things) Among You - God could be doing something great with you right now! Open up to the possibilities as where you're at, what you're involved in, and who's in your circle. You never know how, but it is exciting to watch it unfold. Don't be blind to the idea, enjoy what is going on and anticipate His workings among you!

Before you cross into your next venture or into tomorrow, be sure to "clean up before crossing". Consecrate (cleanse) yourself as you prepare for what God will do. He's amazing!

Looking forward to the future...