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Read: Joshua 3:5
Listen: Joshua 3

Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you. Joshua 3:5

God tells Israel to get ready. Joshua and the people wait to cross the Jordan River and enter into the promised land. Israel is bursting with anticipation. There is no turning back this time! The promise God made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is about to be fulfilled. Still, something must happen before this climactic event can occur: Israel needs to consecrate itself. To consecrate means to prepare spiritually. The people of Israel must wash themselves and abstain from certain activities. They must focus their hearts and minds on God. Once finished, Israel will be ready for God to move among them.

Like Israel, our calling involves preparation for the movement of God in our lives. Paying special attention to our spiritual life allows us to be ready for the unexpected. We can strengthen our readiness through spiritual disciplines. There are two kinds of disciplines: abstinence and engagement. Abstinence involves disciplines that stop something. For example, sabbath, fasting, solitude or silence. Engagement involves disciplines that start something. Examples include study, prayer, worship or fellowship. Adding these habits into our daily rhythms can help us be ready for life’s turning points.

TODAY: Choose a spiritual discipline you do not practice currently. Ask God for the grace to commit to this new rhythm. Also, consider exploring Joshua’s story further on the Beyond the Weekend Podcast—find it wherever you listen to podcasts or on YouTube HERE.