People Come + Go in Our Lives

Joshua + The Israelites

Joshua had the high privilege of leading the Israelites over their final hurdle and claiming the promised land as theirs; their great inheritance. It had been promised to them generations before. They had weathered a long journey to get to the point just on the other side of the Jordan River. And still their long journey wasn’t over yet. They still had several more obstacles to overcome.

The Lord spoke to Joshua and prepared him for what was coming. He told him, “be strong and very courageous.”   He reassured him that He would be with him. Just be strong and courageous. That’s all He needed him to do. 

As Israel began to walk into the promised land, they were reminded that in order to receive what had been promised to them long ago, they must go in and TAKE the land. They had to go into their new inheritance and kill everyone who stood in their way. Men, women, children, livestock. Many were giants. They couldn’t save anyone. The Lord was so clear that if they allowed anyone from the original land to remain, it would have lasting effects on His people. So much so, that He warned it would leave generational curses and punishments which were not intended for God’s people.

Clearing the land in our personal world

It seems intense. Yet, this story is still so relevant to us today. We have the same responsibility to make sure the land of our life is completely cleared and remains healthy. 

It looks a little different for us than it did for Joshua and all of Israel. But, if we allow certain things to remain in our world, in our life, in our home, we become subject to similar spiritual implications. Sin has to be removed from us. Habits and patterns of our past have to be removed. We have to check our hearts and minds, to make sure they are staying in sync with our Father, and remaining in HIM.  Remembering: apart from the Father, we are nothing.

I believe one part of keeping ourselves healthy and in sync with the Father is to take inventory of the people we associate ourselves with. And just like the Israelites, we need to rid our land of certain people in our lives. I’m not saying we need to kill everyone off like Joshua was asked to. (just clarifying what should be obvious).  But, there is a real need for us to regularly take inventory of the relationships in our life, and periodically purge those that point to our past, pull us in the wrong direction, and take us away from our God given callings.

OUCH! That stings a little. So I’ll just leave it right there to give us a minute to get undefensive. 🙂

K… We all good? Good.

It’s important for us to take regular inventory of our relationships.

One of the most important things we can do for our spiritual health as busy mom’s at home, busy mom’s serving in our churches, wives, pastor’s wives, whatever your roll in life and THE KINGDOM might be, is to surround ourselves with like-minded women, who point us back to Jesus.

We should love each other without jealousy or threat. We should lift each other up. We should encourage each other to not gossip. We should encourage each other to love our husband more selflessly. We should encourage each other to love our kids freely and to raise them up in the ways of the Lord. We should avoid judging one another when one of those well loved, Jesus loving kids gets a little sideways, by being each other’s biggest cheerleader. Never judging. Let me say that again… NEVER JUDGING! Never assuming poor motives in one another. Women, sisters like that…These are the people we need in our land.

We have to take regular inventory of who we are allowing into our land, and be willing to do the hard work to clear out anyone who is the opposite of all of the like-minded ones listed above. 

It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.

Sometimes that might mean pulling away from family members. Sometimes that might mean pulling away from a lifetime friend. Neither of these things are easy. I don’t think 7 years of war was easy for the Israelites,either. It was hard, scary work that the Lord called them to. But He told them to not be afraid, because He was with them. Good news for you and I, sis, He is WITH us, too. Because of His big love for us, in sending Jesus to die for our sins, He remains with us. He will come alongside us and help us clear our land, so that we can have a healthy, life giving relationship with Him. One that is rid of sin, and any temptation that might lead us to sin.

The Lord has taught me so much over the years about the process of clearing the Land of my life.  And, can I just say, even though it hasn’t all been fun, I’m so grateful!  And sister, your land might be super healthy, if so, praise the lamb!!!  But if as you’ve read this you’ve felt a little sting about some of the relationships in your life…You may need to meet with the Lord, and His word to decipher where you need to clear the land.

The Lord required Israel to clear the land so that they remained in Him. He knew outside influences would draw His people away from Him, and that it would have long term effects on the future generations of Israel. The same is true for us today. If we don’t keep our land clear it can and will have generational effects on our families.

We can do hard things, because He is with us. Let’s inspect our land this week and see how healthy it is! Will you do it with me? Let me know in the comments if your land is healthy, or in need of some clearing. I’d love to pray strength and wisdom over you as you do the hard work!