2018 has been quite a faith year for me. I can truly say, if it had not been for the goodness of Jesus I would not have made it. This year has been one full of many changes, and some of them in the moment were very overwhelming for me. This year also bid, that I do a better job of planning the day to day activities of the coming year. With the unpredictability and change of my work schedule at times, lots of things have been delayed or brushed aside- A girl has to make that mula right?
I believe (as I have stated in previous posts) that the end of every year calls for a time of reflection and evaluation. This is when we take the time to process somethings that have happened during the year, look at the areas of needed development, and put somethings in place that will help us continue on our growth paths.
As I have said before, this year has been full of heart beating beyond a hundred, close your eyes, don’t look down, just step by faith kinda change- And by faith I did it! Resting in the assurance that the word of God is sure, and that He would not have left me hanging. I had to remind myself many times that “comfort zones don’t foster growth, they are the graveyards of dreams and visions”- a line from one of my pieces- because if it was up to me, I would be curled up in a ball in some corner not challenging the way of my life.
And yet as I sit here recording these words, with a heart beating above one hundred in anticipation; I can only think one thing as I square my shoulders in preparation for what 2019 has to bring: GIVE ME THIS MOUNTAIN!
It was Caleb in Joshua 14:12 who spoke these words. Caleb came to Joshua as the children of Israel were dividing the land, and spoke to him and reminded him (as his witness) of what God had spoken in Numbers 13-14, “You know the word which the Lord said to Moses the man of God concerning you and me in Kadesh Barnea” (13 vs. 6). Caleb and Joshua were among the twelve spies who went into the land of Canaan and brought back a great report about the bounty of the land. Yet in the midst of the excitement and expectation of all the land the Lord promised had to offer, there were ten men who saw themselves as “grasshoppers” of little significance- not only that- they felt as though that was how the enemy they were to face saw them. Isn’t it funny sometimes how we “know” what others think, because when we look in the mirror, that is exactly how we see ourselves? Many of us are convinced others don’t like us, not because they have expressed that in their words or actions, but because we don’t like ourselves. Our insecurities have a way of limiting our vision, and stifling our potential.
It was Caleb and Joshua, two of ten, who expressed that it could be done. Not because they weren’t afraid but because GOD SAID SO. They were assured of victory by His promise that the land was theirs. So it was on that unfailing premise, that they advocated for an immediate takeover. However, because of the ten’s outlook the people turned on Joshua, Caleb, Moses and God, and sought to stone them. What happens when the majority says you can’t but you have 17% + God on your side? A majority saying it, doesn’t make it true. The voice of the people isn’t the voice of God. The promise doesn’t change, because when you get to the place of fulfillment it looks a little grim, grimy and difficult. And so the children of Israel had to wait, because of the unbelief of the majority to claim the promise…….
In my recent contemplations, I have been doing a recall of the many times I have heard people say “I need to go back to that place…”, “we need to go back to that place….”, “I need to get back to the time when…”- don’t get me wrong I understand the statement, except I don’t plan to “go back” anywhere. Life is always moving forward. We don’t drive using our rear view mirrors, if we did the collision rate would be through the roof. But we glance back to ensure that we are not putting those also moving forward in danger or being endangered by those also moving forward. Yet so many of us, are driving forward on the high ways of life, looking in the rear view mirrors, and contemplating like the Children of Israel, about how great it was back then. When we should be glancing in the rear view mirror, as a means to bring improvement to our lives. We should glance in the rear view mirror to see the principles we applied in the past that made us more effective (if this is the case), and seek to ensure we are still applying them now.
Forty-five years later when the Children of Israel were finally ready to claim the corporate promise, we see Caleb speaking to Joshua (Joshua 14: 8-12 NKJV) : “You know the word which the Lord said to Moses the man of God concerning you and me in Kadesh Barnea. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land, and I brought back word to him as it was in my heart. Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt, but I wholly followed the Lord my God. So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land where your foot has trodden shall be your inheritance and your children’s forever, because you have wholly followed the Lord my God.’ And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the Lord spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the Lord said.”
And then Caleb went forward and WHOLLY followed the word of the Lord. He did not contemplate how young he was forty-five years ago. Caleb didn’t say, I wish the people hadn’t rebelled. He didn’t make a great stint about wishing it was back then, and doing it when he was younger. He said: This was promised to me, those many years ago, and Joshua you are witness to the promise, and now that we are here, the Lord has kept me, His words are sure, and I am as strong as I have ever been, so give me this mountain, and I will do exactly what the Lord has said.
So as I have journeyed through 2018, and I am about to enter a new year 2019, I have been inspired by what the scriptures have spoken about Caleb. I just want to encourage us to bless God for what he has done for us in 2018 and years gone by, but let us not live in the past. Lot’s wife is a great example of what happens, when God is asking us to go forward but our hearts are still hung up on where we used to live (we don’t need to be that kind of salt). So let us, like Caleb, square our shoulders because the time has come to go after the promises the Lord has given, to go after the goals and visions with great fire and ferver and say with a great resolve: Give Me This Mountain, which the Lord has promised me! These are the words that have been imprinted on my heart, as I reflect on the year 2018, and prepare for 2019.
“So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matt. 17:20 NKJV)
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Ashley #followerofChrist
To my readers: This year has been such an inconsistent posting year for me, but I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for sticking with me. Life has gotten so much busier, but though it may get tough sometimes- I promise to write as much as I can. I hope I have been able to bless you with what I have shared. I look forward to sharing with you in the coming year. I pray and hope that the rest of 2018 will be a blessing: Finish Strong! See you in 2019 ♥♥. Have a HAPPY NEW YEAR when it comes.
