The Lodestar

The Lord had repeatedly spoken to Joshua, urging him to lead the Israelites into the promised land with the command, “Be bold and courageous” (Josh 1:6, 7, 9, and 18). But this pivotal moment, the third repetition, was not just encouragement but a divine command. Joshua had no other choice but to embrace the mission fearlessly. He had to move forward; courage was not optional but essential.

I vividly recall my childhood by the country lake, where the neighbourhood children would spend countless hours during school breaks. In our village, surrounded by wetlands that flooded each rainy season, swimming was not just a pastime but a necessary survival skill. Yet, I was terrified of the water. While others splashed and learned to swim, I lingered on the shore, content to watch from a distance, too afraid to wade in.

Then came the day that changed everything. A robust and muscular adult, noticing my reluctance, grabbed me and plunged me into the deep end. Panic surged through me as I struggled, gasping and choking as water rushed into my nostrils and mouth. With every desperate attempt to reach the shore, I felt the overwhelming fear of drowning. But that same adult who had thrown me in kept a close watch, pulling me out when I was on the verge of sinking, never letting me be overcome.

As I sputtered on the shore, he offered stern advice: “You cannot learn to swim on the shore. You must enter the water.” The next day, I walked to the lake with a new resolve, leading the group, ready to face the water confidently.

Life’s trials are not a sign of abandonment by the Lord. He commands us to press on, no matter the adversity. It is not just a suggestion—it is His command. His promise comes with that command: “For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Remember this: dead fish are swept along by the current, but the living ones fight against it. Be alive. Be bold. Press on.