My Yes Is on the Table: A 5-Day Study on Surrender by Jennifer HandÖrnek

I WANT TO LOVE WHITEWATER RAFTING. I live close to some of the best rapids in the country. I want to be all into the adventure. Then, I remember as a kid going tubing down a river that was not supposed to have large rapids. They left out the small fact that they were generating whitewater that day, and the rapids grew stronger as the water rose quickly. I got sucked into a whirlpool, which took off my shoes and other vital parts of my bathing attire that day. This is not my favorite water flashback.

I wonder how I would do if I were with the Israelites in Joshua 3.

That day when they knew there was a big obstacle between them and the promised land. The Jordan River—no raft included. Sure, they had heard stories of how God had done it before— how He had parted the Red Sea for their parents’ generation, those who had fled Egypt under Moses’ leadership. You can read about it in Exodus 14.

But this was not the Red Sea that the Israelites were now seeing right before their eyes: it was the Jordan River. Things feel different when you are looking at your own obstacle. Are you the type who sees an obstacle and wants to be the one who steps out in faith first? Or would you prefer to follow after others who have seen the barrier moved? Faith steps always involve those shaky first steps

I think it is noteworthy that in Joshua 3, the priests were to be the ones to take the first steps from fear to faith into the Jordan River.

The truth is, the priests for the Israelites had an essential job. God chose them to represent God’s presence to the people. The key word here: chosen.

One of the fears that can hold us back from saying yes to God is wondering, Do I matter to Him? Am I significant enough? Do I matter to God? Is God picking me to do THIS? What if I succeed? What if I fail?

I have to remind myself that God calls me a priest. He calls you a priest.

This large crowd gathered at the river bank. Then they waited for who would go first. Who would step their feet in the water? Then the crowd would follow.

Take a moment and think about what feels like your Jordan River right now. What obstacle do you see in the path in front of you? Where do you feel God drawing you to take a brave step of faith?