Confucius apparently said “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”  This famous chinese quotation certainly echoes with truth for me. I love my job. Occassionally, very ocassionally I am ill. There are few things that will get me back to work quicker than the output of daytime tv. The vacous and frankly sexist chat of "Loose Women" the odious manner of Jeremy Kyle & the premis of his misery glorifying programme, the endless torment of daytime soaps are all enough to get me back to my desk with all manner of petty illness banished to the recesses of my brain!

One day, I caught a bit of a programme where a group of detectives were trying to find the unknown heirs of  money left to them in wills of dead relatives. There were two requirements, they had to be found and then they have to claim the money but proving they are the rightful heirs. Without the involvement of the heirs the money simply goes to the government. Now let me add this. It's not a great programme, I only watched half of it & it encouraged me to get in the shower and get to my desk. However I did recall it as I sat down this morning to delve a little deeper into the book of Joshua.

In reminding Joshua the Moses was dead (v2) God then begins to share with him the plans He has for his life & the people of Israel. As I read the words again I find them inspirational. God tells him He will give him every place he sets his foot (v3) and that he will never leave him (v5). We too can experience this if we are walking in obedience in the will of God.

However, as we read on it becomes clear that Joshua has key part in ensuring that he can claim the land, the land of his inheritence. The victory that God will give him can 0nly take place if Joshua plays his part in leading the people in battle for the promised land. Indeed although God promises him victory he does NOT promise him an easy fight. From verse 6 we see the phrases "Be Strong & Courageous" then "Be strong and very courageous" (v7) Then again "Be strong & courageous" (v9) I think we can assume for God to day this 3 times within 4 verses then the fight will be hard and scary. The inheritence was not going to be willingly given, it would have to be fought for and taken.

As a leader I can see the lesson here is that I must use all my God given talents, gifts and resources to bring about the purpose that He has called me to. God's plan to use people to bring about His kingdom might be a mystery to us but it is still His plan! It might be a fight, it might be a battle but we cannot assume that God will allow us to experience the prospering plans He has for us (Jeremiah 29:11) if we do not play our part.

Secondly, in order to claim the inheritence we must do it His way not our way. In promising Joshua success in the battle God was clear to ensure he knew this was conditional on him being obedient to the word of God. (7-8). The success & prosperity of the plan were only guaranteed if he followed God's guidance.

It is clear it is not sufficient to receive a vision from God, we also need to follow his strategy. As i reflect on this, I recall times when I have been given a vision from God & then proceeded to just get on with it using my experience, my gifts, my ideas. Sometimes it has worked, sometimes not but I do believe the results have not been as effective as they could have been if I had waited long enough to get a strategy from God.

Finally, one thing that God has been reminding me of a lot in the last few weeks. 

Depending on which translation you read the second part of this quote can be understood that it is forceful men that advance the kingdom of God or it is forceful men that oppose it advancement. Either way, it will require force to extend it not passivity or a people in retreat. So as for me and my team we are going for it. We are advancing, claiming the land and fighting the battle. Are you in?