the only constant

…is change. Especially when you’re on the World Race.

“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit
the land I swore to their forefathers 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. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from
your mouth; 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
terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you
wherever you go.”

I read those words a couple weeks back, sitting on the roof of our base in Malaysia, looking ahead to an upcoming transition as new squad leaders were to be announced at the end of the month. In a way I’ve felt few times before, I knew God was speaking something distinctively to me at that moment. As God and Moses were preparing Joshua for a new season of leadership, I knew there was a work of preparation being done in my heart, though I was hesitant to really embrace what it could mean for me.

At the end of the month, our new squad leaders were appointed – Michael and Joni. I know that I, along with the rest of the squad, are incredibly excited for them and the work God has prepared in advance for them to do, leading our squad to new, amazing heights. As squad leaders, they will now be spending the rest of the race bouncing between teams, keeping their fingers on the pulse of the entire squad, providing an eager ear and open heart to any who need it. With this move, they have both been essentially removed from their teams and their positions as team leaders – Michael on Shabach and Joni on Agape Life Song. All this to say, I have been appointed as the new team leader of Team Shabach.

I’m greatly humbled by this move, and am so grateful for how apparent God’s hand has been in this transition. Joshua has been a huge inspiration and a necessary grounding point in recognizing that this is God’s work. Particularly…

• Joshua was “filled with the spirit of wisdom” (Deut. 34:9), but that never lessens the necessary dependence upon seeking the voice of God. His ministry is characterized by a keen ear to the Lord’s prompting and a persistent awareness of His presence.
• Joshua’s strength and courage is founded upon the reality that “the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Josh 1:9) This command rejects fear and timidity as disobedience, echoing through today by Jesus’ promise to be “with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20) and the foundation of the power we can step out in.
• Joshua immediately embraced and exhibited a conviction of vision, picking up right where Moses left off to lead the people into their inheritance (Josh 1:11). A leader desperate to follow God’s promptings beckons the cheerful obedience of his followers.
• Joshua knew he wasn’t the one in charge. Upon an encounter with the supernatural “commander of the Lord’s army,” Joshua rightfully “fell facedown to the ground in reverance,” abandoning his sandals acknowledging that “the place where you are standing is holy” (Josh 5:14-15). A godly leader stands shoeless in humble recognition that “the battle is the Lord’s” (1 Sam 17:47).

All that said, I want to ask for prayers.

• Pray for Michael and Joni – that they can begin this new season depending solely on the Lord, embracing this new role He has them in with a confidence in His calling.
• Pray for me, for guidance in figuring out the ins and outs of this new position while retaining a humility in recognition of who’s really in charge. That God continues to position me to love my team effectively with a ever-keener ear to His prompting. That I embrace His command for strength and courage, founded upon His promised presence, and can lead out of abundance.
• Pray for Shabach – for Tara, Leslie, Janell, and Chelsea, and that this transition can only serve to further unify us as a family. God has blessed me abundantly with such an amazing team that I’m humbled to work alongside and learn from; pray that we can continue to call out the best in one another, stepping out in faith, strength, and boldness, confident in His enduring faithfulness.