Steps Of Faith — The Priests In The River (Part 3)
For all of us, our blessing to others can look an awful lot like life is passing us by while everyone else is moving forward.
Steps Of Faith — The Priests In The River (Part 3)
Stand Where God Places You
Taking a step of faith is about moving forward but there are times when moving forward takes place by staying right where God has placed you.
In Joshua 3, the priests carried the Ark of the Covenant right into the Jordan River. But their assignment wasn’t finished when the water stopped. Joshua 3:17 tells us that the priests stood firmly on dry ground in the middle of the river while the entire nation crossed over.
Let’s think about that for a minute. They entered the river in faith, and remained there while all of people passed by.
They watched while every man, woman and child crossed into the Promised Land. Every single person under their care entered the land before they were able to even set a foot on the other side. They held their position so others could take their step of faith.
There is something important here for anyone who serves God. We think of faith as us taking the next step. That might look like beginning a new ministry, taking a new church, or moving into unfamiliar territory. But faithfulness can also mean staying where God has put us, even when the work feels like we’d rather be somewhere else.
The priests couldn’t leave the river just because the water stopped. The people still needed to cross. It was their presence that was God’s provision for the entire nation.
For all of us, our blessing to others can look an awful lot like life is passing us by while everyone else is moving forward. But someone has to hold back the waters and clear the way for people to grow in their walk, too.
That’s why Sunday School teachers keep teaching and pastors keep shepherding. That’s why prayer warriors keep praying, servants keep serving and friends continue to show up for those who are hurting. Their acts don’t draw much attention, but God uses faithful people who are willing to stay at their post until the work is finished.
You may never know how many people were helped because you remained faithful in the place God gave you. Faith isn’t always taking another step. Sometimes it’s standing firm until God says it’s time to move.
