Monday Courage

Have I not commanded you? 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

Moses has died. The LORD gives Joshua his marching orders. He will lead the people across the Jordan River and into their next long season – the “promised land”. Joshua will have to be focused, he will need to meditate on the spiritual teachings and ways of God. He will have to lead with complete trust that the LORD will be with him. It’s going to take a lot of courage to take these next steps.

Walking into a new year when a lot of uncertainty remains can be disconcerting. The plans we make at the beginning of the year look different after you have lived through nearly 10 months of a pandemic. Travel….hmm; family reunions? Weddings? Fiestas? Workshops? Conferences? Vaccination lines…

So maybe our planning is more fluid and our hope is placed on what we know will not change in 2021. Where we have asked the God of heaven to guide and lead us with wisdom, we can anticipate that divine presence. Where we open our hands and let go of what we “want” and invite the Lord to give us what we need, we can trust God to provide. Risky? Perhaps. Trustworthy? Without question. Adventurous? Absolutely. It’s time to walk into our Mondays.

Prayer
Lord we are all walking into rooms and situations today where we need strength, courage and hope. We need you. Please go before us and stay with us. Guide us in moments of discernment. Free us to be joyful along the way and to trust you.

In the exam rooms and surgeries; Lord, bring peace and healing.
In the U.S. Congress; Lord, bring order and wisdom.
In the recovery rooms of AA and so many others; Lord, have mercy.
In the offices of leaders making plans and decisions; Lord, let your light provide guidance and clear steps.
In our homes and all the places we come and go today; Lord, reveal your presence already there.
In shelters, alleys and all rooms where desperation is eroding the dignity of another; Lord, send your people with compassion, hope and unconditional love.
In hearts full of grief and sadness; Lord, bring your hope.
In spirits where joy is strong and hope persists; Lord, overflow the blessings for your world.
Fill us up and rise us up for we have no good apart from you; Lord, with you ALL things are possible.

We love you and we trust you. Amen.