I think Steve Green sang it: “May all who come behind us find us faithful.” I was reminded of those lyrics this morning when four verses in Joshua 22 convicted me.
“Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half- tribe of Manasseh and said to them, ‘You have done all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded, and you have obeyed me in everything I commanded. For a long time now—to this very day—you have not deserted your fellow Israelites but have carried out the mission the Lord your God gave you. Now that the Lord your God has given them rest as he promised, return to your homes in the land that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you on the other side of the Jordan.’” Joshua 22:1-4.
That record - years of faithful service far from home - reminded me that such service is not only possible, but also a marker of God’s people. And it also reminded me of how often I’ve been AWOL.
Unlike these three tribes, I too often look toward the comforts of home and leisure when duty, in the form of committee assignments and church needs, calls. I have opted out of too many fights. I am picky in choosing when and where I serve, and who I allow to lead me. I wonder if those who follow will find me faithful.
But at my best, when God’s changing work is having its effect, that’s not me. Sometimes I’m right there, tirelessly pushing at the wheel or pulling at the rope. Sometimes I’m the one giving field first aid to a wounded comrade. And every day I go to Scripture to wrestle with how to live.
In the end, it’s God who is faithful. I see again that the best me is found only in him.
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