God’s conversation with Joshua as he takes over leadership.

Rob Heinink | Reading: Joshua 1:1-9

In 2009, life as I knew it spiraled downward. A ten-year relationship came to an end, and I now had to pick up the pieces and figure out how to move forward through life alone. I must have read twenty or more self-help books in a two-year period, searching for answers on how to become whole as a person. The second half of today’s passage, “for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go,” was not part of my thinking then. Had it been, I might have had a stronger foundation to keep me moving in a positive direction. The books I read probably mentioned God at some point on a path to healing.

I didn’t acknowledge it at the time, but as I slowly felt ready to move forward and look for a new partner, something in me changed, and I wanted to find the Lord. Was He always there, and was I just now able to identify it? I believe He was there in the back of my mind, patiently waiting for me to accept Him. In finding my new partner, one of our goals was to find a church and a spiritual path where we could serve. Life has drastically changed for the better, and part of that is due to my wife and knowing we can be strong and courageous, knowing God is with us during difficult times.