If I could do anything, I would… How would you finish that sentence? Would you quit your job and follow your real passion? According to a survey by the American Institute of Stress, 60% of people working in America are so unhappy with their current jobs they would rather just choose a new career. I’m paraphrasing the source and I read it on the Internet, so take it with a grain of salt, but even if the number is half that, what are we doing to ourselves when we don’t follow our dreams, even if we have to moonlight for a few months or years while building the dream?
God did not create us to be timid. He rewards those who trust in Him and believe in His promises. I’ve used this Bible verse before, I even have it painted on a plate sitting on the mantle above my fireplace, it says, “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.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
God has an amazing and awesome plan for our lives. Whether we are eight or eighty, if we’re still breathing, He has a mission for us, if we choose to accept it. Don’t worry, Mission Impossible fans, this blog post will not self destruct in 10 seconds.
One of my favorite books in the Bible is Joshua. Moses’ time on earth was drawing to a close and Joshua was chosen to be the next leader of the Israelites. The book tells the story of one being anointed for leadership and overcoming the fear of leading a sometimes disobedient people.
If we rewind the story a bit to the book of Numbers, specifically chapters 13 and 14, we discover how Joshua was already starting his leadership adventure. Joshua was one of the twelve men chosen to explore the Promised Land. The twelve men, each representing a tribe of Israel, all found the Promised Land, a place flowing with milk and honey, but only two in the search party, Joshua and Caleb, said they could overtake the giants guarding the land because they had God on their side. When the people of Israel heard that Caleb and Joshua wanted to take the Promised Land, the people decided they should stone, in other words, kill Joshua and Caleb for believing in the promises of God. Then the Israelites wanted to return to Egypt because slavery to Pharaoh was better than the unknown of what lay ahead.
In hindsight of reading the stories of the Israelites, I’ve called the people wandering in the desert for 40 years crazy for thinking slavery was a better option than the Promised Land. But I’ve done this in my life. I hang onto things of the past because it is known, rather than go forward with the giants I’ll have to slay to get to my promise land. They might not be physical giants, but they are giants nonetheless. These giants take different forms and like any great foe, attack us where we are weakest. This is where we need strength and perseverance because we have a choice – will we listen to the giants or God?
Joshua and Caleb grabbed onto the vision from God. They decided to trust God along with His promises of abundant provision. How does this relate to the question that started this all, “If I could do anything, I would…”? When we finish the sentence, we need to ask ourselves what is holding us back from actually do that thing? Dare I say, it’s fear? Fear of the unknown, fear of failure, fear of letting others down, fear of what other people will think, fear that we’re not on the path God has chosen for us, or fear of _______ (fill in the blank.)
Guess what? God knows we’re afraid. Fear is mentioned 103 times in the King James Version of the Bible. Instead of talking about it one or two times or even ten times, He brings it up throughout His Word to provide us assurances for the situations we are in today. In Joshua 1:9 (NIV), it says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” God is always there to encourage us and walk by our side when fear feels like it’s overtaking us.
In the comments below, answer the question, “If I could do anything I would…” Allow our community to support you and your dreams.