As I continue to train for my first marathon, I remind myself each and every morning of one thing: "I AM MAKING PROGRESS!" Some mornings I wake up, and I am ready to run. Other mornings I wake up, and I do not want to get up, much less run. However, I have a PLAN; I have a PURPOSE; and I have a PASSION. And I am learning each and every day that PROGRESS comes with my PLAN, with my PURPOSE, and with my PASSION. And that helps me move forward each day. I am looking forward to November 6th, 2022, my marathon day!
Marathon training gives me a lot of time to think. Yesterday, I thought about Joshua while I was running. I specifically thought about the call Joshua had on his life by God. God said to Joshua in 1:8-9, "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips, meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." God gave Joshua a plan, a purpose, and a passion. Joshua accepted it. He embraced the call of God on his life. Joshua believed the promises that God made to him and to the people of Israel. By obeying God and faithfully walking with God, Joshua experienced many successes. Was Joshua perfect? No. Were there times when Joshua stumbled, even failed? Yes. However, the book of Joshua shows us that Joshua continued to move forward each and every day with God, and he experienced progress. He had a plan. He had a purpose. He had a passion. By the grace of God and with the presence of God, Joshua lived a prosperous and successful life.
I don't know where you are right now in your walk with God. I don't even know if you are walking with God. I do believe what we see in the book of Joshua is true PROGRESS, progress that comes with a plan, a purpose, and a passion that is God-given. Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit to the Lord wherever you do, and He will establish your plans." Colossians 3:17 says, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." True progress and true success can be found in knowing who you are in Jesus and embracing the plan, the purpose, and the passion God has given you. True progress and true success can be experienced in believing God's promise to you and then living that promise out loud! I encourage you to pray, and I encourage you to be strong and courageous. The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go! Now, get out there and keep MAKING PROGRESS!
