Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” (Josh. 2:1)
The call to church plant can be overwhelming. My friend Kelly once stated how planting a church comes with many unknowns that make the entire process quite fear-provoking. When she and her husband heard God’s call to plant, they had no idea it would lead them to move away from their families and the town they both called home their entire lives. They knew they were to start a new church, but where wasn’t revealed until they were visiting friends in a small rural town. As their friends showed them the community they loved, Kelly and her husband began to survey the land. They recognized a need and felt God’s call to become the solution.
Joshua knew he was called to lead the Israelites in a victory over Jericho. Yet, he still paused to allow space for God to continue to work. He could have marched straight into battle knowing they would win, but instead he sent spies to look over the land. This was not necessary, but it was prudent.
When God clarifies a call on our lives, pausing is not always easy. The tendency to run past the minor details and step into the big picture is real. And yet, in doing this we run the risk of interfering with miracles that are meant to change someone else’s life.
Run toward your call but walk with God through the details.
Tara Klein, a lover of words, shares her imperfect, unconventional Christian journey as a female, mother, and wife to invite others into God’s unconditional love.
© 2020 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
