12 May Just Go Already!

I once heard a pastor say that the only thing worse than waiting on God is not waiting on Him. What he meant was that while it is often very difficult to wait for God to move in your live, it’s a big mistake to move without Him. Then the pastor added one more thing: the only thing worse than getting ahead of God is not going when God says go.

God has been telling me for some time now to make good on a mistake I made many years ago. I hadn’t thought about this mistake for quite a while until God plopped it in my head during a Bible study and made it clear I need to deal with it. The easiest way to know that directive is from God is this: the longer you ignore it, the heavier it becomes on your spirit. That’s because when God says “Go,” He means “GO!”

Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. Joshua 1:6 (NIV)

One can only imagine the pressure Joshua was feeling. There are big shoes and then there are really big shoes to fill. They don’t get much bigger than Moses’ shoes (or sandals)! Yet, God didn’t interview Joshua for the job or give him senior executive training. He just told Him to Go. God knew Joshua was the right person for the job because He hand picked him. There is great danger in trying to tell God he picked the wrong person (something Joshua’s predecessor Moses knew something about). God then doubles down:

7 “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. 8 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. 9 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.” Joshua 1:7-9 (NIV)

Do you have a nagging feeling that you should do something that you’ve been putting off? Maybe it’s making amends to someone or sharing the gospel with a friend or co-worker or helping someone out in some way. If the urge feels stronger today than it did yesterday, you can be sure it’s the persistence of the Holy Spirit moving you to go and be courageous.

Whatever it is causing your reluctance, when God says, “Just go already!”, He will provide the way. Fear not and trust God. He’s got this!

Pastor Jerry Bader