20

Today the question to reflect upon is, "What were you doing 20yrs ago?" I began my day with the same routine and exact schedule. Wake up, have coffee, check the news and weather, then map out the day. At that time in our family, we had just one child, so the schedule was pretty simple as I look back. Once out the door and my son was buckled into his seat, we made the short trip to daycare. Again the arrival, the hello, the kiss, and the goodbye were all routine. 

Returning to my car, the music I was listening to was interrupted; "At this time, we are switching to our national affiliate for some breaking news." At that moment, my routine, way of life, and securities quickly became a change of routine and adapted life and compounded insecurities. I recall that for several days following the attacks on 9/11, the sky above Memphis being quiet. I, along with an entire nation, wondered if "normal" would ever return. At that time, it was difficult to envision what the next 20 days would bring, much less the next 20yrs.

Since that day, 5 different elected individuals have occupied the Oval Office. Each brought to the seat their own version of leadership. In a book published in 2019 titled; "Listening To Leaders," President George W. Bush shared his thoughts on leadership. He defined leadership as "A leader is optimistic and believes that (his) vision and principles will lead to a better tomorrow. A leader also understands how to assemble a great team of people to achieve the vision. Someone who can laugh, someone who shares credit and who takes the blame." 

I have learned that during a time of crisis, one of two things will occur: a great leader will either succeed or fail. On that day in September and the many days that followed, there were plenty of successes and failures. But, I believe the biggest thing I can reflect upon is, "What did I learn?" What did I learn about protecting my family? What did I learn about our community, city, state, and nation? What did I learn about my faith, witness, and commitment to sharing God's love?

The past two weeks, I have used the word "transition" several times regarding the change in leadership from Moses to Joshua. In continuing the reading of Joshua 1, we see in verse 11 that the time for transition is put into motion; “Go through the camp and tell the people, "Get provisions ready for yourselves, for within three days you will be crossing the Jordan to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you to inherit." Joshua 1:11. In Joshua 1:1-9, God spoke to Joshua, giving him a personal charge to lead the people of Israel into the promised land. In Joshua 1:10-18, we find Joshua beginning to lead the people of God in fulfilling their God-given mission to enter and claim the land. Before actually moving on the land, Joshua called the people to ready themselves for action. Soon, they would cross the Jordan and, in so doing, begin to fulfill their God-given destiny to enter into the land and claim it from the peoples who now inhabit it.

Our lesson this coming Lord's day will be to seek unity in a common goal. On 9/11/01, we witnessed a call to unity, prayer, and to never forget. We will see that again on this 20th anniversary. But the call for unity is not something new; Joshua, the appointed leader, was called to lead and guide towards unity. At the end of Joshua 1, we see God's charge to Joshua brought to fruition. For the people of Israel to effectively fulfill God's promises and commands, they needed to work together under a new leader. Together, they experienced the successes and failures of leadership while being on a mission from and for God.

Today, give thanks to God for calling us to a vision of unity in the church. Pray that God will empower each member to release control of their own needs and preferences to pursue the good and mission of the whole. Finally, pray that the Holy Spirit will give strength and discernment where motivation and clarity are lacking. 

Serving Him,
Pastor Jeff