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
This week is our moving anniversary. I was 30 years old, we were unemployed with three little children. We had a comfortable life that we loved, and yet we moved 2,000 miles to try and find work and provision, to start a new beginning. We left all we had known and loved… a lovely home on an acreage that we had built. Family there to help us, and a host of friends surrounding us and there to lend a hand when we needed it. We knew only two people where we were going and they were friends of my parents, they weren’t family. All we had was a promise of job if my husband could meet their intense aerospace welding tests which would take months to complete.
Fear is not the right word for how I felt, I was completely terrified. We had no money, our reserves were depleted, and if we were not successful, I didn’t know how we would start over again. To look at it in the natural realm it was crazy. Why leave what we had? Why not stay and ride this storm out? And yet we both felt a strong urging to take this chance, to cross this bridge. And so I prayed, I poured over scripture, should we do it? Joshua 1:9 came again and again. I taped it to my fridge as I packed up our belongings and we walked across that rushing river holding on tight to each other and our faith.
That was 23 years ago, and there is no doubt that making the decision to relocate was the best thing we ever did for our marriage and for our family. I am so thankful we found the courage and the faith to cross over, to take that risk and believe that God had a new beginning for us. There was indeed a land flowing with milk and honey waiting for us. And yes, a few very giants to slay. Sometimes we are strong and courageous, but still shake with fear at the same time. And that is OK, because God is with us. Simply be strong and courageous, you will not go alone.
