‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’” Joshua 3:8b

I don’t have a lot of firsthand knowledge about the ocean or even lakes, but I do know rivers and creeks and streams; I grew up swimming and fishing and playing in or near all of them. The creeks closest to my childhood home flooded often when it rained. The waters would rise and turn muddy, and the roaring sound of the water could be heard from further away than you’d think. We lived about a half mile from Whetstone creek, and at its highest we could see and hear it from the house, even through all the trees. 

A lot of years after little Jessica lived by Whetstone creek, grown up Jessica lived by the Mouse river. After a season of record breaking snow and rainfall in our area and to the north, that river rose. It was less raging and more creeping, insidious even. Water levels rose all spring as the snow melted and the rains fell. There was no roaring, but the lack of sound was just as jarring.

In both of these cases getting close to the rising waters wasn’t advised for safety reasons, as either body of water could have easily swept a person up and away in their currents.

In Joshua chapter 3, Joshua and the Israelites found themselves separated from the Promised Land by, you guessed it, a river! It wasn’t just any river, though: it was the Jordan river at flood stage (Joshua 3:15), and God had instructed them to cross it by way of the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant standing in the river until everyone had crossed on dry land.

But wait! Mama said to never, ever play at the creek when the water was up, the National Guard posted service men and women along the Mouse river to keep people from getting too close, and we’re all familiar with, “Turn around, don’t drown.” Standing in a flooded river doesn’t make any sense. 

Sometimes God asks us to take a step forward into the raging river instead of standing on its banks and waiting for it to part for us. Sometimes God asks us to trust in Him, the One who has delivered us countless times over the course of our lives. The One who has never left us. The One who is always faithful and so, so good. 

Seasons of trust often turn into Signature Moments in our lives. Are you standing on the banks of a raging river today? Is there a step you’re hesitating to take to get to the other side? Even baby steps can be steps in the right direction! You can trust your Guide. Pray that He gives you the courage to move forward today.