Changing Direction: You Can Have Your Own Gilgal!

"The Lord said to Joshua, "Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.""

-- Joshua 5:9a

Are you a radically committed believer in Christ? Do you love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength? Are you living your life as an obedient servant of the Most High God? Are any of these really possible? This week's series of blog entries will look to an answer to this last question.

Some Christians have failed so consistently in their walk with God that they no longer believe consistent obedience to Christ is even possible! Seriously! I have talked to some who simply do not believe they can have freedom from sin and a consistent passion for Christ. If you are one of these people, living life in mediocre or lukewarm commitment to Christ, there is good news for you; you do not have to remain where you are! The Word of God says real change is possible!

When Joshua led the children of Israel across the Jordan into Canaan (Joshua 4-5) he and the people experienced a genuine "turning point" in their relationship with God. The people of Israel had wandered in the desert while the older, faithless generation among them (those of military age when the people did not believe God would give them the land of Canaan) died off. During this period of wandering, the children born to the Israelites were not circumcised; the Israelites were suffering from a severe case of lukewarm/cold faith in God and disobedient as a result. So at a place called Gibeath Haaraloth Joshua led the Israelites to be circumcised and rededicate themselves to God. After this step of obedience and recommitment the place at which they performed the circumcisions was called "Gilgal" or "place of rolling." The land was called Gilgal because after their recommitment, God told Joshua He had "rolled away" the reproach of Egypt from the Israelites. God had removed the stain of sin and unbelief from the Israelites when they renewed commitment to Him.

If you see yourself as less than a "10" in your walk with God why not make today a "Gilgal" in your own life? Why not choose to believe God can roll away the taint and damage sin has caused in your life? Your past failure does not negate God's power and ability to change your life. Turn your life over to Christ and watch what He can do in and through you today! Your part in this process is to actually believe and trust God can and will do what He says He can and desires to do! If you don't take God at His Word you will never see His "rolling action" in your life! He desires to roll away sin and the stain it has caused on your life...and He really can do it!

God is in the business of changing lives and He desires to do for you what He did for Joshua and the Israelites thousands of years ago. Real change is possible for our God is the same yesterday, today and forever! Believe it!

Pastor James