FROM BEREAVEMENT TO BECOMING: A PURPOSE TO FULFILL

…Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them… From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. Joshua 1:2&4

REFERENCE
Joshua1:1-9

God handed Joshua the reins of leadership, to lead the children of Israel into their Promised Land, after the death of his mentor, Moses. In order to help him move from bereavement (mourning the loss of Moses) to becoming all he could in destiny, God gave Joshua a clear-cut picture of the purpose He wanted him to fulfill from the very outset. That means that Joshua knew there was work to be done and the responsibility was on him to arise and go do the work.

When you understand that there is a purpose for you to fulfill, you somewhat find inner strength to get back on your feet even after you have suffered bereavement (a major loss). Purpose motivates people to do what they would ordinarily be reluctant to do. Joshua would have rather remained in the place of mourning and moping, but God showed him that his purpose was to lead the children of Israel to possess their possessions. God repeated this often to him in order to encourage and revive his heart.

I believe that Joshua would have thought all was over for him after Moses’ demise, but God showed him that there was still more for him in the future. He also allayed his fear, promising him protection in all his sojourns, because often after bereavement, people fear if they have any guarantee that they would not also just ‘check out’ unexpectedly. For this reason, Joshua had no excuse to remain stuck in the land of Moab where Moses died. God had given him direction and a purpose to fulfill; he must arise to fulfill it.

Every human being has a legal mandate from heaven to do something for God – a purpose to fulfill. In Jeremiah 1:5, God revealed to Jeremiah that He ordained him as a prophet to the nations even before he was formed in his mother’s womb. You are not here by mistake, God preordained you to fulfill a purpose, and going through any form of loss does not invalidate God’s purpose and destiny for you. If God ever opened your ‘eyes’ to see that you will lead your State Government in the future, would you still give up because you lost someone or something valuable? You have no excuse to be stuck in the place of your bereavement (loss). Choose today to arise and go fulfill God’s purpose for you. Your better days are not behind you; your best is yet to come. Get ready to see beauty come out of your ashes. I look forward to seeing a new version of you emerge (like a Phoenix) from the ashes of your tragedy.

SCRIPTURE PHOTO

ADDITIONAL STUDY
Psalm 27:13-14, Micah 7:8, & Ephesians 2:10

REFLECTION

What purpose has God called you to fulfill? What steps have you taken towards its fulfillment?

Would you allow your purpose be a factor that motivates you to arise from setbacks?