Dipping Your Toe in the Water

I don’t purposely pick confusing titles, but I do know that it happens quite regularly!  You’ll have to hang in for just a bit to understand the connection.

One of the most difficult, and often frustrating, aspects of the Christian walk is getting clear direction from God when we’re facing unclear decisions.  Yes, there are times when God obviously lead us in the direction he wants for us.  Boy, aren’t we grateful for those?

But so often we struggle to know whether to turn to the right or to the left.  I’ve often bemoaned this to God and actually asked him, “Why can’t you be more obvious about what you want me to do?”

At one crucial juncture in the ministry, when I was debating whether to spend a decent chunk of change on some necessary training, I actually read about a half dozen devotionals on my YouVersion app dealing with “knowing God’s will!”  They didn’t really help.  But I have learned some lessons in this area after five years of ministry when I often didn’t know what the next day would bring.

First let me acknowledge that there are definitely times when we need to “wait on the Lord” (Psalm 27:14).  If your situation doesn’t require an immediate decision, and you’re not feeling any peace about any direction, then yes, wait until God gives you some sense of direction.

However, what I’ve also learned on this journey is that sometimes we need to be moving in order for God to change our direction.  And it shows that we’re willing to step out in faith, not knowing what direction God will take us.

There are scores of examples in the Bible about people doing just that (Abraham, Moses, David, Joseph, Ruth, the disciples, Apostle Paul), but I want to focus on a story that has spoken to me whenever I’m trying to discern God’s will.

It comes from Joshua 3:14-16 and describes the scene when Joshua was leading God’s chosen people across the Jordan River into the Promised Land.

So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap  …

Did you catch the sequence of events here?  It wasn’t until the priests, who were carrying the ark of the covenant, dipped their feet into the Jordan River that God performed the miracle of parting the waters.

They literally took a step of faith, and then God responded in an extraordinary way. 

God may be calling us to respond similarly when faced with obstacles or difficulties.  Are we willing to step forward and figuratively “dip our toe in the water,” knowing that “he who calls us is faithful” (1 Thess. 5:24).

Now let me ask you how much energy it took for the priests to dip their feet into the water, compared to the power displayed when the overflowing Jordan “stood and rose up in a heap?”  Not even a fair comparison, is it?

I’d like to propose that the effort we contribute to any of our endeavors pales in comparison to all the strength that God brings to our circumstances.  We bring our meager faith and a tiny bit of action, and all that happens from that point on is directly related to God’s mighty and sovereign hand.

Personally, I really wouldn’t want all that responsibility to fall on my insufficient shoulders!  Far better for us to trust an all-knowing, loving, powerful Father.

One final analogy from this text:  don’t miss what followed this act of obedience.  Not just the parting of the waters, but the entrance into the Promised Land, flowing with milk and honey. 

Where will your obedience to God bring you?  Will you dip your toe in the water?  Will you marvel at what God will do to bring you to your own “promised land?”

The heart of man plans his way,

    but the Lord establishes his steps.

Proverbs 16:9