The words for you today are 1) Get ready. For forty years, Joshua had served Moses and been mentored by him; now he was ready to lead Israel into the promised land. This raises the all-important question: are you ready for the success you seek? The frustrating thing about preparation is sometimes it takes more time than the event you’re preparing for. Are you self-disciplined? Are you up to date on your career or calling? Do you have the right relationships in place? Is your home life in order? Do you have strong character? As the old saying goes, ‘You can claim to be surprised once; after that, you’re unprepared!’ One author writes: ‘Talented people are sometimes tempted to take shortcuts. Character prevents that. Talented people may feel superior and expect special privileges. Character helps them to know better. Talented people are praised for what others see them build. Character builds what’s inside them. Talented people have the potential to be difference makers. Character makes a difference in them. Talented people are often a gift to the world. Character protects that gift.’ 2) Go! God told Joshua, ‘I will give you every place where you set your foot’ (v. 3 NIV). Don’t be like Alice in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland who asked the Cheshire-Cat, ‘Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?’ ‘That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,’ said the Cat. ‘I don’t much care where—’ said Alice. ‘Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,’ said the Cat. To succeed, you must do the right things, moment by moment, day by day, following through with them in a consistent way.

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International.