Walking Together, Even When We’re at Different Places.

Walking Together, Even When We’re at Different Places

From the heart of Pastor Calvin Cook

September 4, 2025

Joshua 1:1-3 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses assistant: Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. (ESV)

My heart is searching for this morning not only for reconciliation but for direction as I consider relationship with Jesus, relationship with others and realizing that whether it be so or not we are all in different places in our faith journey. It is hard not to become frustrated or critical and I might add to punish oneself as a leader of people.

I loved in this prayer time how the Holy Spirit caused me to reflect upon the people of Israel, their leaders, and reactions to many situations. I must share that I see much of the same situation and response to their faith journey in our reality today. A reality that is not really God’s reality.

It was difficult for Moses and Joshua when others were not receiving what both had heard from the Lord. For the Israelites had called them to do something big interrupting their own plans for their lives. Where the faithfulness comes in is that they were willing to allow it to happen. Maybe not at times with excitement but remaining faithful. I know it is difficult to grow frustrated when others don’t see what you see or don’t move at the same pace. However, I am reminded that God’s timing is not ours. The Holy Spirit is at work in each person’s life, but at the same time I am asking the question “Are we ready to receive?”

Unfortunately, I believe that we get caught up even distracted in the details of the plan. Instead of just allowing God to happen. You read in scripture where Moses complained to God about the “grumbling people”. But then it seems that these same grumbling people get it when what they had become so use to, being Moses, and receive Joshua as their new leader. At the end of the first chapter of Joshua we read the people saying they will do what is commanded. Stressing by God and not by people, circumstances, mind sets or anything else. But directed by the Holy Spirit. That is why we submit, sacrifice, and seek to align with the will of God.

I guess the picture of the Promised is before us today. We cannot carry the heavy burdens, or yoke of oppression or slavery into this new place. We have to see the possibilities of this new Kingdom. I am not speaking about a place that pleases us but pleases God and the mission of God in all ways.

Know this and I am trying to come to reason with this as much as we might try to manage or manipulate the Kingdom of God by over thinking or making sure ever T is crossed and every I is dotted, we are not going to be able to change the words and promises of God. The promise is clear in Philippians 1:6 “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.”

I have many other questions I could ask this morning, many frustrations I could share. But I guess that remains in the corners of my personal prayers so that I might not cause harm to another.

Humbly before the Lord I pray that I remain faithful not to the call or demands of others or everyday but to the God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who has called me to this place, and in this place, I’m not speaking this physical place but the place where my soul finds refuge.