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Pause

It’s getting closer—and now closer. Moments follow moments until you reach the moment—the here and now.

No matter what comes before and regardless of what follows, God is always there, always in the present. No matter when. No matter where.

God is with you—here and now. Open your heart to know God better.

Listen

I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

Think

Joshua was the leader after Moses, the one responsible for leading the Israelites into the Promised Land after Moses died. What a responsibility! I have to imagine that this speech about being strong and courageous was at least partly to himself. Joshua needed to reassure himself that he was not undertaking this awesome leadership role alone.

It is easy to get frightened and dismayed in the face of great responsibility. It is easy to not feel up to the task of leadership, whether you are leading thousands of Israelites or just a few of your friends. Sometimes leadership looks like Joshua heading into the Promised Land, and sometimes leadership looks like doing what you know to be right even when no one else will, standing up even to someone you respect or care about, or speaking out when you see injustice. Know that you are not alone! God is with you!

Katie Day

Pray

God, give me strength and courage to do what I need to do. Take away my fear, and help me remember that you are always with me. Amen.

Go

Even while the seconds go ticking by,
Even as days pass, one and then the other,
Every moment is but a beginning.

Go into the moments ahead
Alert to the never ending promise
That every instant is inhabited
By divine companionship.