I admit that there are moments where I wonder what in the world I am doing. It seems so weird to lay down so much familiarity and pick up so many unknowns.

Will we find a building for us to worship in?

Will people come?

Will we find a home for my family?

Will I be able to support my family?

What will keep us from adding to the large number of empty church buildings?

I’ve found encouragement from one of my favorite scriptures. In the first chapter of the book of Joshua, God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous. Recently I was reminded that the objective of this strength and courage isn’t simply to be brave and do great works. The objective is to do God’s work.

God called Joshua to be strong and courageous so that he would walk in obedience to what was written in the law (Joshua 1:7). The focus wasn’t the enemy Joshua would fight, the river he would cross, or even the wall that would crumble. At this moment in Joshua’s life God was calling him to be strong and courageous enough to walk in obedience to the scriptures.

The same is true today. It will take great strength and courage for us to be faithful and walk in the truth of Jesus. Yes, there are obstacles ahead and big questions that aren’t answered. Yet, the greatest challenge is this: will we walk in obedience? If we will, the journey of faithful obedience will require us to be strong and courageous. He has promised to always be with us (Joshua 1:9, Matthew 28: 20).