New Mission Society President: Moses a Hard Act to Follow, But God Is Faithful and Enables (Pt. 2)
New President Max Wilkin of The Mission Society (www.themissionsociety.org, a full-spectrum missions sending agency based in Norcross, Ga.) offers his thoughts as he succeeds the Rev. Dick McClain. McClain's reflection about his time as The Mission Society president can be read here.
I have often wondered what was going through Joshua's mind as he stood at the edge of the swollen, raging waters of the Jordan River looking at the Promised Land. The path to the promise would was not around the chaotic torrent, but through! And God was calling Joshua to lead the people, bearing the Ark of the Covenant, the very symbol of the presence of God in their community, in a step of faith right into that water.
The call of God was clear and unambiguous; "Moses my servant is dead! Now then you..." Ready or not, Joshua had been selected by God to lead. But in many ways this was Moses' community. That great leader had shaped them for decades. He listened to God, interpreted the mission and directed the journey. God had worked miracles in and through Moses. And despite some missteps along the way, Moses led well, and the mission was headed in exactly the right direction. Joshua must have felt uncertain, ill prepared, maybe even unfit for what lay ahead.
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Perhaps there were those who were already questioning his decisions:
"What do you mean 'step into the water!'? That isn't how we do water crossings! Moses showed us how! You hold up the staff…the water parts…don't you know anything? Do it the right way… the way Moses did it!"
Almost certainly he was wondering why he had been chosen. Oh, sure, he had also devoted his life to this mission. He had served Moses, and had even led. But his leadership had been in a different arena. He had built some confidence, even success, in his military role. This leadership role, however, was new. Perhaps Joshua even remembered how the people had refused to follow him decades earlier when he and Caleb had tried to get them to trust God and enter the Promised Land. Yet, here he was, the community looking on, leadership of the mission in his hands, and the step of faith looming ahead.
I get it! I love the mission of our Lord. I believe He is leading us into His Kingdom. I love the mission of The Mission Society. I can willingly give my life to it. I have been a part, to one degree or another, for most of the last 30 years. But I'm also following one of my heroes, Dick McClain, a called man of God, who has led faithfully and well for 28 years! I know the Lord has been with him, directed him, and worked miracles in and through him. He has us headed in exactly the right direction. For 30 years, however, my primary leadership has been as a local church pastor. I know the Lord has been with me as well. And I truly believe that "mission is the reason the church exists." I've been engaged in that mission with full devotion. But, as with Joshua, this is new. I believe God's call is clear, but the anxieties are real, and the sense of unworthiness, of utter helplessness apart from the Lord, is tangible.
But Joshua knew three very important things. He knew the call of God. "Now then you…" He knew the command of God. "Be strong, be courageous, do not be discouraged, and do not be afraid!" And he knew the promise of God. "For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go!" So, he swallowed hard, put his eyes on the Lord, and took the step of faith!
As I stand on the precipice looking over the promising future God has for The Mission Society, I am fully aware of the challenges that lie between here and there, and of my own anxieties and shortcomings. But I'm also aware of the long legacy of faithfulness that precedes me, the amazing team that surrounds me, the glorious and all-powerful Lord who is in front of me, and the call that compels me. So I will swallow hard…and take the step of faith.
