Stupid flu. That's right. You heard me. I used the s-word. My 5th graders would be shocked. I would like to publicly announce that I am NOT behind in the reading. Yee-Haw! I am however starting to feel discontented with the audio Bible I am becoming reliant on. So far, listening and then marking up my text during the midweek service has worked quite well. Illness and the most insane work season ever (seriously imagine a really busy workday and multiply it times 1,000 and find the square root of being a teacher) has prevented me from flicking actual pages until yesterday. I took my sabbath Saturday (translation-showering after 3pm) and spent time flipping through those pages.
Be strong and Courageous
Of all the characters I have not given enough appreciation in the Old Testament, Joshua is one I only had a surface understanding of. The task ahead of him must have been so daunting. God says, "Here, kid, fill Moses' shoes." One theme stood out in the life story of Joshua. I can identify with the context of this book because it is about building something new, taking over the land. I'm going to be doing that in Austin in about 100 days. Do I have any idea what I will be doing for work? Nope. Not a clue. Do I know that it will be a season of new? Yes. You see, I have been ready for something new for a few years now. I'm Tired. Exhausted. Jaded. I'm looking for a new level of authenticity. I want to do what I've seen so many others do.
I want to get rid of stuff, live in a neighborhood with little curb appeal, have neighbors with hard stuff. I don't want to work; I want to do something part time to make the cash I need and spend the rest of the time working in shelters; I want to only watch TV when I invite people into my home for a family movie night; encourage women and NOT talk about myself; helping a girl prepare for her first job interview; experience the Bible with a hip Austin agnostic; welcome a diverse group into my home for a worship night weekly; invite everyone on my street to a 4th of July BBQ; publically speak to women about using their season to be doers of the word and not hearers only. I want to be RADICAL. There, I said it. Now, I'm curled up in the fetal position chanting, "Be strong and courageous. Be strong and courageous." I really am looking at my promised land. I have a chance to leave my Egyptian Israelite in the wilderness and to BE a new generation in my new land. Don't worry. I don't plan on sitting and waiting until I get to Austin to do these things. I hereby give myself permission to finish my school year strong, follow through well with my current commitments, and live free from guilt that I cannot do a lot the the things listed above because, after today, I have an hour less in the day. I needed about 4 more...
Stoned
In going back through Joshua, I actively looked for each time a monument of stones was crafted. I looked for when, where, and why. Then I took a bit of time and went through this wonderful, brief study by Anne Graham. Check it out:
Stones of Remembrance Study This study connects the stones of remembrance in the Old Testament to Christ and how we are now the stones of remembrance better than I ever could. Now stop and go back to that link. Seriously...take the 15 minutes and enjoy connecting scripture.
I love the visual of each of the clans taking up a stone "on his shoulder" (Josh 4:5). These are not river rocks with sharpie. We are talking about doing a hard thing and setting it as an alter of remembrance for the crossing of the Jordan. But why? The purpose, according to verse 6, was to create a catalyst of conversation with the next generation.
What physical items do you have that are a catalyst for conversation over what the Lord has done in your life? A strong message in Christian culture is to have less stuff, don't consume so much, but do we take time to appraise the true meaning of the stuff we have. What can I add to my home, my desk, my car that is an ever so subtle reminder of God's deliverance in my life. This may translate to a painting, a sculpture, a tattoo, a decorative item in your environment. I'm not talking of needlepoint pillows with sheep napping beside a babbling brook. I'm talking about some THING that is a meaningful reminder of grace and deliverance.
Craft night anyone?! In chapter 8, verses 31-32 tell of Joshua creating an alter of uncut stones and writing the law on stones. Once again, this generation of Israelites were the newly circumcised offspring of those who had wandered the wilderness for 40 years. They needed to be taught about their legacy before and while they took the land promised them.
What are you remembering today? Comment what you would inscribe on a stone. "Austin" would definitely be inscribed on a stone of mine. It is my promised land that pulls me out of a wilderness of things most people don't know about. We all have those things. Christ is our ultimate stone, the cornerstone. Stones of remembrance should translate into conversation and expression of what He has done in our lives. For me, be strong and courageous also means to overcome my crippling fear or sounding "churchy" or "cheesy" and actively pursuing having a conversation that tells of what Red Seas I have crossed, what rebellion I have been delivered from.