Andrea M. Polnaszek, LCSW

View Original

Put Your Whole Foot In!

Its been a long time since I have danced the hokey pokey... but this weekend I have been reminded what it means to put my whole self into something.  This new year has brought me an opportunity to take a BIG step. It reminds me of a story in the book of Joshua.

The priests will carry the Ark of the Lord. As soon as their feet touch the water, the flow of water will be cut off upstream, and the river will stand up like a wall"  Joshua 3:13

God gave Joshua specific instructions for deliverance.  The priests were to lead the Israelites to the edge of the Jordan River and then step in.  Their guidance required an example of faith.  

It was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge.   The water from upstream stopped flowing.  It piled up in a heap a great distance away... while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off.   So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.  

Joshua 3:15-16

The priests had to put their feet in the water before the water receded and then they walked on dry land.  For the Israelites a step of faith was required and a miracle followed.  Right before Christmas I had reached a place of discontent and emotional exhaustion.  Rather than stepping in the water like the priests, I slipped on ice and ended up climbing into my car and crying the whole way home.    Under my husband's guidance I took a day of rest and when I became quiet God descended with a sense of knowing and great peace.  God spoke to me.  I listened to His still small voice and proceeded to walk into the proverbial Jordan river.  That walk has taken days, weeks and months but the entire time I have walked on dry land.  Sometimes I feel overwhelmed but when I stop long enough to feel the sand between my toes, I see the water stacked up on the banks of the river and know the adventure has just begun.  I believe God has BIG plans for me to write, create by telling His story and give Him all the Glory.  

For more on this story in Joshua read:  Touch Stone.  Available at:  www.andreapolnaszek.com