"No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." Joshua 1:5 (NIV)
On Saturday I had the opportunity to dine with one of my mentors about this sixth anniversary. During our discussion the question was raised regarding my expectations for year seven, what am I looking forward to as I begin this seventh year of this pastoral journey? Puzzled by the question because I don’t think I took the time to think about what to look forward to in this new year of leadership. All weekend I wrestled with this question and even as I write this devotional, I’m still wrestling with it, but one answer did leap in my spirit, expectation of God’s presence.
Moses the leader of the children of Israel has transitioned, the Lord says to Joshua lead this people to the land I am about to give. One of the greatest struggles in leadership is leading people to uncertain or uncharted territories. This not only is regarding leadership, but in life when God instructs us to places, we have never encountered before, but God says go and we follow. I believe that what comforts Joshua is the very thing that I expect in this journey, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you”. I desire God’s presence wherever I go! I don’t want to lead, preach, plan, serve, etc. without the presence of God. The same way God was with Moses, Joshua, I want that very presence with me also in year 7, 8, 9. Lord I want your presence. What do you need to go with you in this season? Sometimes we spend lots of time focusing on who, but never think about what. As long as I know God is with me, the rest will follow.