Vision, Courage and Boldness
“Arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land which I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you” (Josh 1:2-3)
You are warmly welcome!
The Musiime Marathon is coming up: It is a fundraising event for the ongoing construction project at Kakumba Chapel, Kyambogo University where Rev Canon Ephraim Musiime was Chaplain for 13 years (1992 – 2005) before he passed to glory in 2016. He led the Chapel through bold and revolutionary growth, and one Hall in the Block under construction will be named in his memory – the Musiime Hall. He was a man of vision, courage and perseverance – three qualities that every person needs in order to arrive at a goal.
It is the start of a new academic year, and for many it is the start of University life altogether. More so, in life there are many ‘starts’ as seasons come and go. A great start is important. Joshua had such a start after a 40-year journey; taking over from Moses, Joshua was to lead the Israelites in the final stretch across the Jordan River and into the Promised Land. Yes, he was a man of vision, courage and perseverance from the start, as evidenced in his early battle victories and the foresighted encouraging minority report after spying the land, but this new start needed fresh encouragement. This is exactly what God did for his servant: gave him instructions, assurance and encouragement – a message we are able to read and eat today, for similar nourishment. It makes your vision clearer and emboldens you to move.
The apostles had similar needs in the infancy of their ministry: their vision was clear, but they were threatened by beatings and detentions; yet they both answered the authorities with and prayed continually for boldness (Acts 4:19-30). The gospel of the Kingdom of God has thus continued to spread. Our vision for the construction project is a completed building; Joshua’s was a settled Israel in the Promised Land; the apostles had the vision of the Kingdom of God accessed through Jesus Christ. At this new start, what is your vision?
The marathon idea gets things out of theory into real life: the vision is the finish line, and courage and perseverance are required to go across the whole distance and the hills and rough terrain. Paul uses a lot of athletic language: ‘I do not run aimlessly; lest somehow I should be running or had run in vain; you were running well; I press on toward the goal for the prize; I have finished the race, I have kept the faith’ and so does the writer to the Hebrews: ‘lay aside every weight… and run with perseverance the race’. It is time for the sole of your foot to tread the place physically. These real actions teach us, paint clear pictures and encourage us to go for the goal God has set before us. Whatever your vision, get on it with courage and boldness and glorify God in your achievements.
God bless you all.