Last night I read the first chapter of Joshua. In this chapter, the phrase "be strong and courageous" appeared four times. So I decided to write about it.
Here are some definitions for the word "strong": 1) having, showing, or able to exert great bodily or muscular power, 2)mentally powerful or vigorous, 3)of great moral power, firmness, or courage.
definitions for "courage": 1)the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc. without fear.
"It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, even more to stand up to your friends."
"When you see what is right, have the courage to do it."
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
Because this phrase was in the chapter so many times, it stood out to me. I am getting ready to graduate. Isabella, you just graduated, and are preparing for boot camp in the Army. We both have fears and doubts when it comes to this next phase in our lives. It is a little scary. What's going to happen? Where will we be? I know I think about these questions a lot. And more. We have spent most of our lives in school. Elementary, middle school, high school, college. There is a whole world outside of that. A big world. I know that I don't feel prepared for life outside of school (which is probably why I am trying to go to grad school). This is where we get to fully lead our lives. Growing up, we relied on our parents to take care of us. In college, we became a little more independent, but we had scholarships, housing, campus food. We were still being taken care of a little bit. But now, we head out on our own.
You know what you want to do. You will be trained to be a soldier, then you will become a linguist in whatever language they put you in. Me? I'm still trying to figure out what to do. Yes, I know I want to go to grad school. I want to perform on stage, maybe in tv or film. But there is so much to do to prepare for it. I have to apply to several places, which costs money. I have to take the GRE, which costs money. I have to figure out my area of emphasis, the degree that I want (MA, MFA, ABC). I have to plan for auditions/interviews. I have to write a letter of intent, blah blah blah. Thinking about everything and planning for it just makes my head spin.
What I need to do is put my focus back on God. He is with me. Or, should be. I haven't really being staying in touch with him. I know that with him, his plan will work out. Not my plan. His. I should trust him. You should too.
--Post by Amelia
