20 / 52 – Courage

I woke up a couple days ago feeling really overwhelmed.  These last few months have been so incredible and humbling.  The Lord has opened doors for us to share about Ireland with churches and people and I can see Him going before us in so many ways.

But as we get closer to leaving, the magnitude of the transition ahead is getting real.  There are things that have to be in place – financial support, a house and a car, plane tickets and figuring out how things will be shipped, and so many other things that we probably haven’t even thought of yet!

A little over a year ago, the Lord told me to start praying for five things – passports (which we didn’t even have yet!), a scouting trip, visas, the house we would live in, and the car we would drive.  This list seemed pretty crazy since, at the time, the Lord still hadn’t spoken to Branden about missions or Ireland, and He had said I wasn’t allowed to either.

The Lord wanted to grow my faith.  To believe Him for things that were impossible.  I started to pray.

Provision for passports came first, then as the Lord brought Branden to a place of stepping out in faith, funds for our scouting trip came in.  By the time we got back from the trip, our visas were provided for.

As the year has gone on, I’ve been praying for a house and a car.  The Lord has made it clear, He has a specific house and car for us.  The house looks a certain way and will be used for ministry in specific ways.  Sounds crazy right?  Honestly, there have been moments when I’ve thought so.  But every time I find myself doubting, the Lord reminds me that He’s spoken to me, and that He’s able to do everything He says He will.

The other day, with my anxious heart, Jesus led me to to the book of Joshua.  God’s servant, Moses had just died.  Now God speaks to Joshua about how he needs to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.  God said He would give them a specific territory and names the borders that surround it.  All that had been promised to God’s people from generation to generation was now before them.  Joshua had been Moses’ helper.  He’d seen God do incredible things all throughout his life.  But now, at the banks of the Jordan, with this great calling in front of him, God gives him a command:

“Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  – Joshua 1:9

That first chapter in Joshua encourages me so much!  First, God spoke to him in specifics – He would give them a certain area of land, a territory they were to posses with real borders.

And even after Joshua had seen so much, even as he was speaking to the living God, he lacked courage.  God knew that in his heart, Joshua was wrestling with fear and doubt.

His solution was that God Himself would go with him.  The God Joshua knew, that he’d seen do the impossible time after time, would not forsake him now.  The Lord had proven Himself trustworthy.  There would be a lot Joshua would find out along the way – giants and battles and fortified cities – but one thing he knew and that would be enough – the presence of his God would go with him.

God has a good plan for us, some things He’s already told us about, a lot we’ll find out along the way.  His word is sure and He is trustworthy.  His presence is our courage and strength.

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These boys teach me so much!  These pictures and video below represent everyday life with our two adventurous boys and their big imaginations!