Be strong and courageous

Last week I wrote about my uncertain opinion of where I planned to make my temporary church home. Then I wrote about how I'm at a very tough point in this deployment. And then God took the two and worked with them to remind me that He is with me wherever I go.

This morning in church the sermon was on Joshua 1:1-9 where God commanded that Joshua take over Moses' job as leader of the Israelites. I won't attempt to reiterate the sermon - I am not a preacher and do not have his theological background - but I'll summarize the passage and then tell you how God met me where I was. Joshua was scared. He was intimidated. He was entering into a job where his predecessor exceeded expectations and he felt very inferior. He was unsure of his ability to succeed in the job that God was commanding him to do. And yet God told him three times to be strong and courageous, and reminded him that He would be with him wherever he would go.

The pastor asked us to reflect on areas of our own lives where God has called us to be strong even though we don't quite know how. He also noted that in his own life it has been when he's been most discouraged, when he's been most weak, and when he's been most unsure that God has reminded him of His presence.

Then I had a moment of clarity. For years I have told myself and others that I support Austin in his call to serve our country, and that I do it because I love him. But I am always very clear that I wasn't called to this service. I didn't feel that calling in my heart to be the noble and courageous soldier. I am too selfish and stubborn and a lot of other things to do that kind of work. This wasn't my purpose or duty in life. I stand behind him in utter amazement of what he is willing to do and I support him HIS calling, but it was not mine.

But I realized today that I was called for this. I was created for this. I believe in God's plan for my life and I believe in his words that he knew his plan for my life before I was even created in the womb. He knew, and he created me for a specific purpose. Part of his plan for my life was to be Austin's wife, and He knew what that meant. He knew it would mean I'd spend time alone. He knew that meant I'd need strength and courage (and a plethora of people standing behind me). And as He does with all our needs, He has equipped me with what I need to fulfill this calling.

I was called to serve in support of my husband. And I was called to be strong and courageous as I do so. It won't always be easy and I won't always (rarely, actually) feel as though I have enough strength to see it through but then comes His greatest promise of all: He will be with me wherever I go.

And just when I needed a boost in my morale, I decided to clear off my dry erase calendar and get it set up for November. The best part of changing the monthly calendar is at the top where I write the number of days we have left. And do you know what? The countdown is almost down to 50. 50! All of a sudden, for the first time in 8 months, the task ahead of me seems surmountable. God is with me...He knows his plan, He knows my heart, and He gives me what I need in order to be strong and courageous.


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