PLAYBOOK DEVOTIONAL
Athlete, Know the Power of New Beginnings
Jonathan Van Horn
Joshua 1:5-7 (NIV)
No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.
“Transition” and “transformation” are two important words; and one will lead to the other! Change is one thing in our world that is guaranteed; we will always have change. We can’t stop it in our lives, in other people, in the seasons or the world; it will continue to shift, revolve, and move.
But the question is, “How will your transition lead to transformation?”
Don’t waste the opportunity of transition! Transition is such a unique time to see growth, personal change and development.
In the book of Joshua, we see a major transition for the people of Israel. Their leader – the one who took them out of the land of Egypt, led them through the wilderness, brought them the Ten Commandments – has passed away. And the book of Joshua opens up with Joshua taking the helm and leading the Israelites.
This is a significant leadership change for the people of Israel and a significant change for Joshua, as he is now the one leading.
But transition can be scary, change is never easy; you are moving from what is known to what is not known.
In Joshua chapter 1, God reminds Joshua to be strong and courageous as he takes over for Moses and leads the nation of Israel into the Promised Land. The Lord uses change to allow for transformation.
Trusting in the Lord gives us strength and courage to embrace the change and grow in the midst of it.
“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything,” said George Bernard Shaw.
Athlete, with each change you are given an opportunity.
Reflect: What change is God leading you into, and in what is He calling you to be strong and courageous?
As you enter new seasons of life or sport, what is one choice – in your mindset or mentality – that you can change to grow in your relationship with Christ?