Training Camp is Here, Everyone!
Tomorrow, I fly to Atlanta, Georgia with my 60L hiking pack and all the contents in it to survive 10 days in the wilderness! I will meet my teammates, adjust to living in the outdoors, receive loads of training, dive into the word, and find God’s voice in worship. I wish I could say I am so excited, yet at this moment… I honestly am nervous. I have no idea what to expect and it is scary to think this is really all happening. The obedience/trust thing just keeps getting more, and more, real…
This past week I was reading in Joshua, and honestly, was taken aback. In Joshua 1:5-9 God declares to Joshua,
“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. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
God promises Joshua all these things, and literally, Joshua moves onward believing them. In the first few chapters we see him trust God in gaining the Israelites respect, in leading them into the promise land, and in conquering Jericho. He does a great job obeying God, but I wonder if Joshua ever found himself in moments of fear and doubt.
Immediately, I want to believe Joshua did, mainly so I can feel better about myself haha, yet I also like to believe Joshua really was strengthened by the Lord to be strong and courageous. His example has encouraged me this week.
Thus, I pray as I head to training camp tomorrow I hold firmly to Joshua 1:9,
MacKenzie, have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
