Be Strong and Courageous

by Pr. Sarah Anderson
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“Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9

Courage looks, feels, and sounds differently for everyone. Author Glennon Doyle might say courage is ‘doing the hard things’. In fact her popular podcast is named, “We Can Do Hard Things.” I envision the quoted scripture from the book of Joshua as the Israelites doing hard things. They followed Moses while wandering in the desert, awaiting their arrival into the land where they wouldn’t have to do so many hard things. I imagine they intended to follow Moses’ leadership in the new land, but Moses never set foot on it. It had to be hard for the people to lose Moses. Often when there is loss, we find strength and perseverance when we didn’t know we had it.

Joshua immediately became Moses’ successor, leading the people into the Promised Land, but first he received a pep talk from God. I encourage you to read the opening verses of the book of Joshua and God’s message to him. Notice the number of times God tells him to be courageous. Hear God’s words as words spoken directly to you, and then wonder: where can you continue to be courageous? Where can you be more courageous? What gifts are you withholding that can be shared with your neighbors and with CtK?

Last month we heard from CtK member Priscilla Berg how we can be courageous in our walking. In worship this Sunday, we will hear from another CtK member who is courageous in healing. Kristi Chace will share the courage she had to have while undergoing treatment for cancer and the subsequent healing. Like each of your stories, hers is powerful and courageous. Come to worship, be inspired, hear God’s words spoken to you, “Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, because God is with you wherever you go.”