Do you remember the first time you stepped out to the edge of a diving board? The pool where I swam as a child had two diving boards. One regular spring board and one high platform. The regular one made me nervous enough, but I remember climbing up to the high platform one day. I’d watched so many others bravely, joyfully even, diving off, yet I stood there on shaky legs, unsure if I could really step off the edge. What would happen if I jumped? Would I make a fool of myself? Would it hurt when I hit the water? Would I be able to swim back to the surface?
I was reminded about the story of Joshua taking over from Moses to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. Joshua, who had been Moses’ second-in-command, the helper, the apprentice. But now, after wandering the desert for 40 years, the Israelites have arrived at the Promised Land. Only God won’t allow Moses to enter. It was Joshua’s turn to take the lead, so Moses confers the authority and power onto Joshua. I imagine Joshua standing on this threshold with the desert and all he knew at his back, looking out across the Jordan. Joshua knew his call was to lead the people across the Jordan to claim God’s promises, yet he had to wonder (maybe even worry) about this unknown.
Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide us among them as their inheritance. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:7-8 (NIV)
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I’ve felt like I was standing on my own threshold, wondering if I could take the next step into the unknown. Certainly not on the scale of what Joshua was facing, but a step of faith nonetheless. God’s been calling me out into something new, too. I’ve been listening and taking steps toward that calling, but mostly as an apprentice in a season of growth and development.
As I waited and wondered, God placed the binoculars before my eyes and asked me to look out on the horizon at His dreams for me. I’ve been staring, trying to see clearly, but the binoculars just wouldn’t focus. Maybe they’re not meant to ever make clear the future. Only brief glimpses, outlines and vague ideas of what the dream holds. Yet day by day, pieces come clearer into focus.
Earlier, I wrote about taking steps, bold steps. Encouragement I needed to hear the most. As I read the comments and heard you talk about how you were encouraged to take your own steps, though, I felt a fraud. How could I write about such boldness, yet not be bold myself? So, I set about praying and asking what step was next for me. How could I take a bold step closer to that dream on the horizon?
So, here I am, standing on the high dive, alone, a bit afraid, and legs quivering. Ready to jump into the unknown with both feet, knowing only that whether I land the dive or I belly-flop, I will not drown. Whether the world views this next step as a success or failure, God is there to hold me up and carry me through. This is certainly a step on the path, a learning opportunity, and another test of my faith and trust in God.
“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 1:9 NIV
What bold steps are you taking toward’s God’s Possible for your life?
Have you looked through the lenses at what future God is holding for you? What pieces are coming into focus and how can you take at least a small step toward them?
Let’s step out together in faith, “for the Lord our God will be with us wherever we go.”
I announced here that my latest step into the deep was to publish a series of devotional prayer journals. The first ones are now available.
{These are affiliate links – and my own books – so any purchases help grow and sustain this blog.}
Pray Deep: Ignite Your Prayer Life in 21 Days
This prayer journal explores the very nature of prayer and growing a deeper relationship with God through prayer, while exploring nearly 20 different forms of prayer. Each day introduces a different prayer topic or method (from the Pray Deep series here) and then provides prompts for that day’s prayer.
My own prayer life has been transformed by using these varied forms of prayer and spending focused time “praying deep” and I pray this series will also spark your own prayer experience.
Pray Deep Prayer Journal
This blank prayer journal allows you the space to create your own prayer experience, providing pages to capture your key scripture, your prayer, and how you hear God respond. You’ll have lined pages and a blank page for each day. It also includes a section to track prayer requests, along with a reference guide to all the prayer forms introduced in the Pray Deep series.
Pray Deep: Finding Stillness In The Storm
A 21-day devotional prayer journal exploring Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Through daily prayers, explore stillness with God, experience Sabbath rest, and learn to hear and trust God in the middle of your life’s storms.
Click HERE for more information about these books.
This post is part of the “Imagine God’s Possible” series. For more information or to read other posts in the series, click here: Dream the Impossible… Imagine God’s Possible
Ready to Dive In Toward God's Possible? – Prayer & Possibilities
Do you remember the first time you stepped out to the edge of a diving board? The pool where I swam as a child had two diving boards. One regular spring board and one high platform. The regular one made me nervous enough, but I remember climbing up to the high platform one day. I’d watched so many others bravely, joyfully even, diving off, yet I stood there on shaky legs, unsure if I could really step off the edge. What would happen if I jumped? Would I make a fool of myself? Would it hurt when I hit the water? Would I be able to swim back to the surface?
I was reminded about the story of Joshua taking over from Moses to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. Joshua, who had been Moses’ second-in-command, the helper, the apprentice. But now, after wandering the desert for 40 years, the Israelites have arrived at the Promised Land. Only God won’t allow Moses to enter. It was Joshua’s turn to take the lead, so Moses confers the authority and power onto Joshua. I imagine Joshua standing on this threshold with the desert and all he knew at his back, looking out across the Jordan. Joshua knew his call was to lead the people across the Jordan to claim God’s promises, yet he had to wonder (maybe even worry) about this unknown.
I’ve felt like I was standing on my own threshold, wondering if I could take the next step into the unknown. Certainly not on the scale of what Joshua was facing, but a step of faith nonetheless. God’s been calling me out into something new, too. I’ve been listening and taking steps toward that calling, but mostly as an apprentice in a season of growth and development.
As I waited and wondered, God placed the binoculars before my eyes and asked me to look out on the horizon at His dreams for me. I’ve been staring, trying to see clearly, but the binoculars just wouldn’t focus. Maybe they’re not meant to ever make clear the future. Only brief glimpses, outlines and vague ideas of what the dream holds. Yet day by day, pieces come clearer into focus.
Earlier, I wrote about taking steps, bold steps. Encouragement I needed to hear the most. As I read the comments and heard you talk about how you were encouraged to take your own steps, though, I felt a fraud. How could I write about such boldness, yet not be bold myself? So, I set about praying and asking what step was next for me. How could I take a bold step closer to that dream on the horizon?
So, here I am, standing on the high dive, alone, a bit afraid, and legs quivering. Ready to jump into the unknown with both feet, knowing only that whether I land the dive or I belly-flop, I will not drown. Whether the world views this next step as a success or failure, God is there to hold me up and carry me through. This is certainly a step on the path, a learning opportunity, and another test of my faith and trust in God.
What bold steps are you taking toward’s God’s Possible for your life?
Have you looked through the lenses at what future God is holding for you? What pieces are coming into focus and how can you take at least a small step toward them?
Let’s step out together in faith, “for the Lord our God will be with us wherever we go.”
I announced here that my latest step into the deep was to publish a series of devotional prayer journals. The first ones are now available.
{These are affiliate links – and my own books – so any purchases help grow and sustain this blog.}
Pray Deep: Ignite Your Prayer Life in 21 Days
This prayer journal explores the very nature of prayer and growing a deeper relationship with God through prayer, while exploring nearly 20 different forms of prayer. Each day introduces a different prayer topic or method (from the Pray Deep series here) and then provides prompts for that day’s prayer.
My own prayer life has been transformed by using these varied forms of prayer and spending focused time “praying deep” and I pray this series will also spark your own prayer experience.
This blank prayer journal allows you the space to create your own prayer experience, providing pages to capture your key scripture, your prayer, and how you hear God respond. You’ll have lined pages and a blank page for each day. It also includes a section to track prayer requests, along with a reference guide to all the prayer forms introduced in the Pray Deep series.
Pray Deep: Finding Stillness In The Storm
A 21-day devotional prayer journal exploring Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Through daily prayers, explore stillness with God, experience Sabbath rest, and learn to hear and trust God in the middle of your life’s storms.
Click HERE for more information about these books.