Excerpt from Joshua 3: 1-7

"When the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan flowing from above shall be cut off; they shall stand in a single heap."

Reflection by Anthony B. Robinson

There's an interesting thing about this story of Israel crossing the Jordan here in the Book of Joshua. God says, "You've got to get your feet wet."

This is, of course, their second time to pass through the waters on their Exodus journey. The first time, entering into the wilderness, was at the Red Sea. This one exiting the wilderness, at the Jordan, is the second. And there’s a difference between the two.

At the Red Sea the people had only to wait until dry land appeared, and they could cross over. They didn't have to do a blessed thing but wait for God to act. Here, on the other side of the wilderness, it's different. The people have to put their feet in the water before God will act, before God will "cut off" the waters of the Jordan, so that the people are able to pass over to the new land and life.

At the Red Sea, God made the first move. God held back the waters. God does that sometimes. God takes the initiative, makes the first move, surprises us. But other times it's different. Here at the Jordan, for instance, God asked the people to make the first move. They had to get their feet wet before God would hold back the waters.

Sometimes when we are waiting on God, I wonder if God is waiting on us? I wonder if God is waiting for us to get our feet wet? Possibly the key to a breakthrough is wet feet?   Maybe today you need to get your feet wet?

Prayer

Help me to discern, Lord, whether it’s time to wait for you to make the first move or time to go on in and get my feet wet. When it’s the latter, grant me courage to take the first step and then the next, trusting you will lead me. Amen.

About the Author Anthony B. Robinson, a United Church of Christ minister, is a speaker, teacher and writer. His newest book is Stewardship for Vital Congregations, published by The Pilgrim Press. Read his weekly reflections on the current lectionary texts at www.anthonybrobinson.com/ by clicking on Weekly Reading.

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