Joshua: Leading Wherever You AreSample

Years ago, I worked for a company whose leaders wanted all of us to know our "why": why do we want to succeed? What will keep us going when we’re weary and tired? What drives us? Who are we doing it all for? I hear this mentality within the walls of exercise classes, too: why will we keep fighting when we’re so tired we can hardly breathe? Why will we go the extra mile? What will make us power through?

"Why" is the foundation of everything we do—in our relationships, our work, and our leadership. So what is our "why"?

In leadership, we must ask ourselves "why" so we hold on to our values, mission, and goals. As you think about your own life and leadership, what is your "why"? 

Joshua knew his "why". He knew what mattered most. He understood the importance of clinging to his purpose.

In Deuteronomy 34, Moses has died, and Joshua has stepped into leadership. Verse 9 tells us that “Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. The People of Israel listened obediently to him and did the same as when God had commanded Moses.” 

Often God equips us to move through our fear by giving us direction for what it looks like to move into our "why." We see that in Joshua 1: God did more than simply seek to reassure the new leader of the Israelites; He also gave him marching orders. 

The amazing thing, though, is that God doesn’t give Joshua a strategy that might improve his chances of success—He lays out six things that will equal success:

1. Be strong and courageous

2. Be careful to live by the Law/commandments

3. Never turn from walking with God, even slightly

4. May the words of the Law always be on your lips

5. Meditate on them day and night

6. Be careful to live by all that is written in it 

If Joshua does what God says, he will attain what he’s set out to accomplish.

These six commands are all in a similar vein. God is essentially telling Joshua to trust Him and pursue relationship with Him above all else. None of us can live in alignment with God without pursuing relationship with Him. When we pursue Him, our trust in Him will grow. Joshua couldn’t lead well without fully trusting and obeying God’s plan. The same is true for us!