The Enormous Task and the Even Greater Promise

It is one of the world's biggest sporting events. 3.5 billion people from 180 countries will tune in to this competition. No, it's not the World Cup. Its the Tour de France. 

This 21 stage race covers over two thousand miles of mountains, plains, and cobblestones, going through cities and countriesides in the heat and the rain. 198 riders on 22 teams compete for that yellow jersey, naming them the best cyclist in the world. 

Chris Froome, last year's reigning champion, was back in the race this year and a top competitor. People were watching him, expecting him to win, only to be disappointed when Froome dropped out in the first week after four ugly crashes. 

Since Froome was the team leader for team Sky, this opened the door for Richie Porte to step up as the new team leader. It's big enough to be in the Tour de France, but it's even a bigger responsibility to be the team leader, espcecially when you fall into the place of Porte who was not expecting to take up this role in the abcense of Froome. "This will really show what Porte is made of," said one commentator, "and how strong of a cyclist he really is."

I remembered that commentator's quote when we studied the first chapter of Joshua this past Sunday. 

Joshua had an enormous task ahead of him. He had shoes much bigger than his to fill. His leader, Moses, had just died and now it was his turn to step into the role as Israel's leader to escort them into the promised land. Just as Richie Porte feels the pressure of leading team Sky in one of the greatest races on earth, so Joshua felt a greater weight of responsibility to lead God's people into one of the greatest conquests on earth. I can't imagine how Joshua must have felt in the beginning of Joshua 1, but then again, I take a closer look and maybe I kind of do. 

In this critical time of grief, fear, and probably feelings of inadequacy and unpreparedness, God gives Joshua a special message.

And it is the same message he gives to you and me when we feel like Joshua. 

Afraid. 

We may not be the leaders of nations or the leaders of the Tour de France, but we still know the same kind of fear and pressure because it is familiar to all mankind. The fear of inadequacy. Fear of failure. Fear of rejection. Fear of incompetency. Fear of inability. Fear of letting people down. Fear of losing. 

In the face of those fears, we listen to the voice of our Father, whose perfect love casts out all fear. He is our true team leader, and his voice guides through all fears, imadequcies, and weaknesses. 

"I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you." (Joshua 1:5)

Oh how such simple words touched my heart this week as I prepare to move to a foreign land and live in an unfamiliar place, just like Joshua. I feel as though I have an enormous task ahead of me, and I want to lead the people I encounter to a promised land of God's grace and salvation. Sometimes that feels like big shoes to fill, and I feel so very inadequate. But God promises us just as he promised Moses and Joshua, "I will give you every place where you step your foot." (v. 3)

This week as I prayed, I found myself saying aloud these promises from God to Joshua, especially the one found Joshua 1:5. As I spoke it out loud, I suddenly found it hard to distinguish whether God was saying it to me or if I was saying it to him. Because really it is both. 

He tells us, "I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you."

And then we speak the same words back to him. "I will be with you, Lord. Where you go I will go. I will not leave you or forsake you. No matter the call or the sacrifice, I will not turn back."