In a recent meeting for InterVarsity San Diego I had a moment of realization/wonder… we were spending some time in Bible study (Joshua 3) where God asks the Isrealites to cross the Jordan river at flood stage, raging and roaring.

As I reflected on the scene in my head, with children and old folks flailing downstream to the horror of the community, I had to wonder why God would set them up for this kind of catastrophe. At times I feel this way, “God why would you even set me up for this?” I bet you even the Isrealites themselves were wondering this, “God, why bring us across a desert for 40 years only to drown us in this river?”

It is at this point that God gives them a plan. Take the box you made for me, the one that I am supposed to live in, and walk it to the middle of the out-of-control river. Take all that represents your religion and put it in the middle of the chaos. Take what you are sure of and jeopardize it with what you are scared of.

Take you faith and put it right in the middle of the gnarliest situation you can think of.

Am I willing to do that? Hmm.