Crossing Over

Over the years, many sincere Christians have drifted from their faith because of deep disappointment. To step forward in faith, they must cross over that disappointment and trust God in a new way.

Perhaps you’re trusting God for a blessing for your family or children. Maybe you’re believing him for a certain ministry to be fulfilled in your life. Are you seeking God for freedom from a habitual bondage, or do you want to break free from an inner struggle that keeps you from trusting him?

Some of us need outright miracles or supernatural interventions in our lives or for our loved ones. In short, God has called all of us to cross over. When the Israelites came to the Jordan River, God wanted none of his people left behind.

Any experienced Christian will tell you that there is never a time when you’re more subject to fear, anxiety, doubt, and uncertainty than when you’re poised to cross over your Jordan. Why? Because you’re on the brink of possessing the land God has called you to inhabit. That’s the time the enemy and our flesh put up resistance.

Life is always easier on this side of the Jordan because it’s comfortable; nothing is being asked of us. But when God stirs us toward movement, the things that once made us comfortable suddenly become uncomfortable. They begin to feel static, decaying, even death-like. If we persist in staying in our comfortable place, we risk losing our vision and passion for life in God.

Joshua wasn’t immune to this temptation. When God called him to action, the first instruction he gave was: “Be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:6, ESV). God spoke this to Joshua three times because he knew that Joshua needed to hear it.

To do what the Lord has called us to, we each must summon our strength to take it on. We must stir up courage. For some, this could mean the courage to forsake things that have given a false sense of comfort. 

Friend, if you’re stressed or your spirit is disrupted, ask the Lord to show you why. If he asks you to let go of something, that could be your first step toward taking a step of faith.