SPRING FORTH NOW 2024

Sunday, September 8, 2024

And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat.

Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Joshua 24:13-15

One of life's greatest blessings is for God to allow people to come into your life who He has chosen for you to model His behavior, being The Good Shepherd.  The Good Shepherd is likened to a parent who provides, cares for, and sows into their children's future or as a surrogate parent/mentor, their mentee.  There is perhaps no greater responsibility given, than to be a witness, ensuring that those who look up to you or follow you have a modeled life to achieve life and life more abundantly and to do so in peace, harmony, with the will of God.  Joshua who was skeptical about his own leadership, parenting, or mentoring abilities has now led the children of God into their promise and ensured that they were provided for and cared for, He now, knows that His time with them is not long, so he now also chooses to sow into their future.  Joshua saw his work as ongoing and not event- or process-based but instead a legacy, a witness that would live on and on in and through their actions.  In Joshua's sowing, I believe, if you and I are to model The Good Shepherd for the people, places, and things of our lives we must walk and live in gratitude, faithfulness, and service.  Our modeled behavior becomes our witness, igniting the spark of God’s Spirit within others that will Open Up The Way for them to engage and experience their promises of life and life more abundantly, living in peace, harmony with the will of God.