At each stage of our journey, there is a transition period, during which it’s important to slow down and prepare for what comes next. This concept is illustrated in the story of Joshua as he prepared the Israelites to cross the Jordan River and claim the promised land.
So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.’” Joshua 1:11
After receiving his instructions from the Lord, Joshua wasted no time in relaying the message to the people. He understood the significance of being well-prepared for such a pivotal moment, knowing that a failure to do so could keep them in the desert longer.
Similarly, we can draw lessons from the experiences of figures like Abraham, Lot, and Joseph. Abraham and Lot embarked on a journey together but eventually had to part ways. Lot’s failure to make wise decisions during this transition led to him settling in a place filled with wickedness, causing him great torment See 2 Peter 2:7). He ultimately left everything behind when the Lord came to judge the city and his wife turned into a pillar of salt.
In contrast, Joseph, despite facing betrayal and hardship, approached his own transition with patience and discernment. He utilized the time of transition to assess the situation and seek the guidance of the Lord. In Genesis 42, we see that when Jospeh brothers came to get grain and take it back to their homeland, Joseph put them in prison for three days.
This was a time of transition for Joseph and his brothers. All these years he had been an orphan and a slave in a foreign country due to his brothers’ jealousy, but finally Joseph had an opportunity to either annihilate his brothers or reunite with them. It would have been easy to squander the opportunity of a lifetime and not have handled the situation properly. So Joseph gave himself time to access the situation so that he can be led by the Lord and have a heart of compassion for his brothers.
The above stories serve as great examples of the importance of taking time during transitions. Lot rushed into action by just looking the superficial elements of a city. On the other hand, Joseph used three days to reflect, allowing himself the opportunity to be guided by God’s wisdom and compassion and for his brothers to ponder the error of their ways.
In our own lives, we may not always recognize when a season of change is upon us. However, when faced with significant transitions, it’s vital not to rush through them hastily. Instead, we should take the time to prepare our hearts and minds, allowing the Lord to take the lead in moving us to the next stage of our journey.
Image by Jerzy Górecki from Pixabay