A New Journey Into a New Land by Ron Cole
2006-06-05 @ 11:01:27
Leaving school, we all knew about it, it was inevitable; we saw the graduating class before us leave...never to come back. But, it just seemed to sneak up, unexpectedly. Our minds are like a spring storm, filled with emotion...excitement, anxiety, sadness and joy. It is like entering into a new journey, some have goals, ideas, visions, but their image is blurry, like a distant place on the horizon. It is leaving a land of familiarity; we knew the roads and the landscape, even its boundaries that offered a sense of security. Now you enter a land that you hope will be filled with promises.
I'm reminded of a graduating class in the Old Testament, a group of mainly young people embarking on a journey from a land they had lived in for a season. God was offering them a new land, a land filled with potential, a Promised Land. Their teacher Moses offered them some words of wisdom before they left. "I tried to relieve your fears: Don't be terrified of them. God, your God, is leading the way; he's fighting for you. You saw what he did for you in your old land; you saw what he did in the wilderness, how God, your God, carried you as a father carries a child, carried you the whole way until you arrived here. But now that your're here, you won't trust God, your God, and this same God who goes ahead of you in your travels to scout out a place to pitch camp."
I want to look at two people in this graduating class, Caleb and Joshua, why they were special, and what wisdom we can glean from their journey.
One of the most important things to remember as you enter into this new land of promise is to never ever forget your identity. Each of you created in the image of God, like snow flakes, no two are alike. God doesn't create with a cookie cutter in the kitchen of heaven, mass-producing bags of identical people. Each of you is incredibly special, with unique gifts and personality. Gifts to be discovered, unwrapped and played with, in this new land of promises. It's so easy to follow the crowd, follow the same beaten path. It is so easy to put masks on, to appear to be someone else, in order to fit in. I can speak from experience; I wore so many masks I forgot who I was, who I was meant to be. Never, ever foret your identity...never forget to be yourself. Caleb and joshua never forgot who they were, who made the, who goes before them and who carries them.
The other wisdom Moses offers the explorers as they set out for the land of promise is to have a spirit of boldness. Now there is a huge difference between boldness and wreckless abandonment. Boldness comes out of a strong sense of confidence and faith. The spirit of boldness, to discern where to go in this new land comes from wisdom. A wise person entering into a new land usually does not do all his own planning. As hard as it is to figure out at times, there is a plan for our lives. Jeremiah reminds us of that, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." But we also need to surround ourselves with wisdom, people who will walk with us, share the journey with us. Seek the counsel of elders. I know it's hard to believe in the world of high speed Internet, cell phones and I-pods...parents can still offer wisdom. Surround yourself with wise friends, friends who will encourage you, friends who will walk with you in the valleys as well as the mountaintops. Continue to stay connected to a community of faith, where in fellowship and intimacy you grow an even greater sense of identity. Try and find a mentor. All these things will help solidify that spirit of boldness, that faith and confidence to discover and live the plan of a hopeful future.
What I like best about Caleb and Joshua was they were dreamers, they had vision. They pursued their dreams. Even when others tried to sow seeds of discouragement, trying to get them to see things differently, their vision was crystal clear...they saw the things God wanted them to see. Achieving dreams comes at a cost, it can be financial, time comsuming, physically and emotionally draining. But guess what? You already have on the inside of you what it will take to achieve your goals, and dreams. The fact you've made it here, to this new border, ready to enter into a new journey in indicative of the power and the abilities He has blessed you with. The fact His Spirit, His presence is always with us, no where can we flee from His presence. Nothing can separate us from that truth.
As you begin your new journey to pursue your dreams, what are your expectations for the journey? There will be times when things don't go well. There will be times when it is a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs. Surround yourself with God, and strong friendships, and a faith community, these are blessings that will carry you along the way. Although at times it will be uncomforable, you will grow and change for the better. Keep in mind God's will, will never lead you where his grace cannot keep you.
Finally as you enter the new land, these new journeys, as you purseue your dreams, strive for excellence. Strive to do well and surpass your own expectations. Striving for excellence means that you will not settle for mediocre living, that you will choose to live life abundantly with everything God has blessed you with.
It is my prayer you'll always have vision that you will always remember to defy the odds and dare to dream, to pursue your dreams, or a Paul says, "always strive for the finish line." I pray for each of you, God's richest blessings wherever you are and in whatever you do, in work or play. I pray that you will continue to find joy and peace as you begin and continue you new journey. I pray that you will find favor with all those you meet and that you will continue to have success in all that you put your hands to. May you be blessed tonight and on your journey!
Read Robert Frost's Poem, "The Road not Taken".
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Some where ages and ages hence;
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
...Robert Frost
I'm reminded of a graduating class in the Old Testament, a group of mainly young people embarking on a journey from a land they had lived in for a season. God was offering them a new land, a land filled with potential, a Promised Land. Their teacher Moses offered them some words of wisdom before they left. "I tried to relieve your fears: Don't be terrified of them. God, your God, is leading the way; he's fighting for you. You saw what he did for you in your old land; you saw what he did in the wilderness, how God, your God, carried you as a father carries a child, carried you the whole way until you arrived here. But now that your're here, you won't trust God, your God, and this same God who goes ahead of you in your travels to scout out a place to pitch camp."
I want to look at two people in this graduating class, Caleb and Joshua, why they were special, and what wisdom we can glean from their journey.
One of the most important things to remember as you enter into this new land of promise is to never ever forget your identity. Each of you created in the image of God, like snow flakes, no two are alike. God doesn't create with a cookie cutter in the kitchen of heaven, mass-producing bags of identical people. Each of you is incredibly special, with unique gifts and personality. Gifts to be discovered, unwrapped and played with, in this new land of promises. It's so easy to follow the crowd, follow the same beaten path. It is so easy to put masks on, to appear to be someone else, in order to fit in. I can speak from experience; I wore so many masks I forgot who I was, who I was meant to be. Never, ever foret your identity...never forget to be yourself. Caleb and joshua never forgot who they were, who made the, who goes before them and who carries them.
The other wisdom Moses offers the explorers as they set out for the land of promise is to have a spirit of boldness. Now there is a huge difference between boldness and wreckless abandonment. Boldness comes out of a strong sense of confidence and faith. The spirit of boldness, to discern where to go in this new land comes from wisdom. A wise person entering into a new land usually does not do all his own planning. As hard as it is to figure out at times, there is a plan for our lives. Jeremiah reminds us of that, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." But we also need to surround ourselves with wisdom, people who will walk with us, share the journey with us. Seek the counsel of elders. I know it's hard to believe in the world of high speed Internet, cell phones and I-pods...parents can still offer wisdom. Surround yourself with wise friends, friends who will encourage you, friends who will walk with you in the valleys as well as the mountaintops. Continue to stay connected to a community of faith, where in fellowship and intimacy you grow an even greater sense of identity. Try and find a mentor. All these things will help solidify that spirit of boldness, that faith and confidence to discover and live the plan of a hopeful future.
What I like best about Caleb and Joshua was they were dreamers, they had vision. They pursued their dreams. Even when others tried to sow seeds of discouragement, trying to get them to see things differently, their vision was crystal clear...they saw the things God wanted them to see. Achieving dreams comes at a cost, it can be financial, time comsuming, physically and emotionally draining. But guess what? You already have on the inside of you what it will take to achieve your goals, and dreams. The fact you've made it here, to this new border, ready to enter into a new journey in indicative of the power and the abilities He has blessed you with. The fact His Spirit, His presence is always with us, no where can we flee from His presence. Nothing can separate us from that truth.
As you begin your new journey to pursue your dreams, what are your expectations for the journey? There will be times when things don't go well. There will be times when it is a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs. Surround yourself with God, and strong friendships, and a faith community, these are blessings that will carry you along the way. Although at times it will be uncomforable, you will grow and change for the better. Keep in mind God's will, will never lead you where his grace cannot keep you.
Finally as you enter the new land, these new journeys, as you purseue your dreams, strive for excellence. Strive to do well and surpass your own expectations. Striving for excellence means that you will not settle for mediocre living, that you will choose to live life abundantly with everything God has blessed you with.
It is my prayer you'll always have vision that you will always remember to defy the odds and dare to dream, to pursue your dreams, or a Paul says, "always strive for the finish line." I pray for each of you, God's richest blessings wherever you are and in whatever you do, in work or play. I pray that you will continue to find joy and peace as you begin and continue you new journey. I pray that you will find favor with all those you meet and that you will continue to have success in all that you put your hands to. May you be blessed tonight and on your journey!
Read Robert Frost's Poem, "The Road not Taken".
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Some where ages and ages hence;
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
...Robert Frost