“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
The second “N” in VONA stands for “next”, or in other words, declaring and pursuing God’s best for you in this season. There’s a belief not uncommon among many Christians that when God is behind something, doors will simply swing open effortlessly. If only… While sometimes this is true, often God calls us into moments where the door is closed, locked, or barricaded—and yet, He still expects us to move forward.
Consider Joshua as he stood at the edge of the Promised Land. God didn’t promise a peaceful entry. The cities were fortified, and enemies awaited. The door to the Promised Land wasn’t open—it was sealed tight, intimidatingly so. Yet God commanded Joshua, “Be strong and courageous.” Joshua couldn’t – and didn’t – just wait passively for God to deliver the land into his hands. He had to act, often boldly and sometimes strangely, trusting God to enable him to overcome insurmountable odds as he marched forward boldly in faith.
In my own desire to become a trusted and successful ministry coach, I would prefer that opportunities would just effortlessly present themselves—that God would miraculously open doors. But I’ve come to understand that stepping into God’s continued and evolving calling for my life means taking bold steps, usually outside my comfort zone. It may not be easy, but it’s necessary. God is with me, but I must courageously step forward, knock, persist, and perhaps even kick down a door or two along the way…
How to Courageously “Kick Down Doors” in Your Life
- Identify Your “Closed Doors”:
- Clarify the barriers preventing you from achieving your goals.
- Clarify the barriers preventing you from achieving your goals.
- Overcome Passive Faith:
- Faith isn’t passive waiting—it’s active, courageous obedience and initiative.
- Faith isn’t passive waiting—it’s active, courageous obedience and initiative.
- Act Boldly and Decisively:
- Like Joshua, confidently take practical actions, trusting that God is with you.
- Like Joshua, confidently take practical actions, trusting that God is with you.
- Persist Through Obstacles:
- Expect resistance, but don’t let it deter you. Persistence demonstrates your trust in God.
- Expect resistance, but don’t let it deter you. Persistence demonstrates your trust in God.
Reflection Questions
- Is there an area in your life where you’ve mistaken passivity for faith?
- What doors might you need to proactively “kick down” to step into God’s best for you?
- What’s one courageous step you can take today toward your “next”?
Final Thought
God’s promise to be “with you wherever you go” means He’s there as you actively pursue your calling—not just as you wait comfortably behind closed doors. Embrace Joshua-like courage: knock boldly, persist tirelessly, and when needed, kick the doors down. Your next breakthrough might be waiting on your bold, courageous step.
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