Joshua 3:3-4 (NIV)
“When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. 4 Then you will know which way to go,
since you have never been this way before.
I was a timid child. I hid behind my mother wherever I went. Although it seemed dangerous, growing up in the city of Georgetown in 1970-80s right in the notorious hub, walking was still our primary mode of transportation apart from the trishaw. My mother would send me for errands daily walking a few blocks away. I walked about 3km to school. It was the same route I took everyday. I had to brave myself to cross busy roads – passed many shops, hawkers, the wet market and community square. I saw these familiar faces everyday although I didn’t know most of them except a few shops and stalls which I stopped to buy supplies. Whenever my mother issued me new errands to new unfamiliar roads off these main roads, I would be very anxious. I would want to know the exact locations, visible landmarks and the duration of my walk. I would write down long orders in case I forgot. If my trip was a grocery run to the “chai tiam mah” (small convenient store, in Hokkien dialect), I would be even more anxious to want to know the prices of everything she needed which are measured in kati and tahil. My creative brain was nervous for any sort of such calculation. Mum would give me money that usually was slightly more and that meant that I would have to make sure I brought back the correct change. So if I had to take a new route, my heart would race even faster.
The Israelites in Joshua’s time must have borne such sentiment when God commanded them to cross over to the new horizon. Chapter 1 of Joshua, we see God giving them strong commands and instructions how to possess the land. There was inevitably a real challenge upfront. God reminded them to be strong and full of courage a few times. His call was always clearly stated although not full details laid out straight. They were entering new ground. New – means it has never been before, it is a fresh beginning, it is a transformed look. Everyone loves newness. But new requires courage. Courage to trust the leading. God commanded them to move out from the old placement and follow his presence closely. He promised when they do just that, they would know the right way. It was crucial to obey because they had never traveled this way.
Today, the world stands at a new junction. Even the world leaders are making tough decisions for making the right calls for their nations in this pandemic. Health, life, economy, education are amongst top concerns. What about the exit plan? How do we face the post Covid-19 days?
What is the new norm? As God’s people, we have to face a new route too. Are we willing to tread carefully staying close to him, so that we can hear and see clearly the way we should go? The pandemic is a global public display of our need for humility in confronting this challenge. As the world grapples with a phenomenal change, the Church is not exclusive. The Church of Christ must take seriously this command in Joshua 3:3-4 like never before. If we had failed to understand this before, we must take heed and embrace it now – fully and deeply. We need Jesus to show us the way. It’s a new way. New route. Do not be anxious like the little me roaming the city square, worrying about the many details ahead of time. “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)
“Heavenly Father, I abide in Christ and walk closely to follow your direction. Lead me. Guide me. Give me courage. Give me peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
@ Pr Selina Khoo Lim, Gateway City Church, Penang. 21 April 2020.