Success and prosperity? Joshua 1:6-9: A reflection.

I was reading Joshua 1 today, and this part of God's commissioning of Joshua really struck me:

"Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that it written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." (Josh 1:6-9)

While I am about to sit for an exam related to my work, this passage both warns and encourages me about the tremendous challenges I face - far beyond my abilities and skills. Three times, God told Joshua (who was obviously fearful and overwhelmed by the hugeness of God's assignment as well as the weight of his new mantle of leadership) to be strong and courageous, because (1) the land was just waiting to be possessed (God had promised his forefathers that it would be theirs, somehow); (2) obeying God's law guaranteed Israel success and prosperity; and (3) YHWH who had delivered them from Egypt was going with them - victory would be supernatural and not dependent on their natural strengths. Likewise, in my situation, the way to success and effective Christian witness should not be by merely attempting to mingle with giants in their fortified cities - so to speak - and conform to their methods, strategies, and agendas out of pressure. Rather, it is by remembering God's calling, standing on God's promises, living according to God's words which are to be chewed on constantly and vigilantly, and trusting in God's presence. He who has delivered me this far will yet deliver and establish me, even when I don't know how.

A few days ago, somebody reviewed my CV and commented, "You were supposed to be a doctor? What a waste!" I was initially very discouraged - and there's of course no way to explain to a non-believer why I ended up in a theological seminary, and now, a music school - but then I was reminded: what so wasteful about being a music teacher with a medical degree? Teachers are to nurture lives as much as doctors do, if not more. Teachers are the facilitators of growth and becoming. I don't see how doctors could be more superior. If I taught with great understanding of pain, wouldn't that be even better?

Haha, oh well.