It happened ever so slowly. When life felt overwhelming, I would turn the channel to the one place where problems were solved, loved prevailed, and the ending was always with a kiss.

With the click of the remote, I can find myself in the place where the summer skies are always sunny and bright; the fall leaves are vibrant with color as they splash across the hills; the winter air is crisp, white with snow and refreshing; and the spring breathes hope into things yet to come.

2020, thus far, has been a year of shifting seasons. Not one season has been typical or one that could have been predicted. I’m reminded of Joshua as he readies to lead the people across the Jordan River into the promised land. He tells them:

“When you see the Levitical priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord your God, move out from your positions and follow them. Since you have never traveled this way before, they will guide you” (Joshua 3:3-4, NLT).

Staying close was the way to enter new and uncharted territory, and it is the way we enter days yet unknown to us. We must first admit to ourselves, and to God, we have no idea how to proceed. We don’t know how to proceed because the truth is – we have never been in this position before.

This year, 2020, brought us totally new words and concepts as we all navigated through the waters of stay at home orders, essential and non-essential businesses, phased reopenings, remote learning, masks or no masks, furloughs and unemployment, social bubbles, social distancing, and much more.

But One remained the same – constant – in the midst of all this change and upheaval, and we are reminded by Joshua:

“Then Joshua told the people, “Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you.” (verse 5, NLT)

Joshua reminded the people of God’s faithfulness in the past. He had done great wonders for the previous generation and this same God, their God, would do amazing and hard things in their midst.

But something was being asked of them to do as well. They were to purify themselves.They were to separate from anything which would distract or detract from their faith and trust in God.

In these constantly changing days, when our lives seem beyond our control and our dreams are dashed, let’s remember and hold onto our God.

“For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” (Psalm 100:5, NLT)

He never changes.
He is faithful.
He is trustworthy.
He will do great wonders among us.

Photo by David Tommasino
Today I am joining … Recharge Wednesday and Woman to Woman .