Another Sort

love the story of the twelve spies, sent out by Moses and told in the 13th chapter of Numbers. They were sent to spy out the promised land of Canaan, to see what was in it. The twelve men were each a leader in their tribe. They entered into the land and traveled all about it. When they returned, they told of the wonders they had seen there. Ten of them reported that it was indeed a wonderful place, but they were focused on all the dangers they saw there, not the least of which was a race of giants. They said they felt like grasshoppers next to them. Two, Joshua and Caleb, dismissed the obstacles, and centered on the fact that God had promised them this land and His presence as they took hold of it. The words of the 10 melted the hearts of the people, and they refused to enter in. Someone said that Joshua and Caleb were "men of another sort." Men who had the faith to believe for the impossible and the courage to trust God to bring His promises to fulfillment. The church has always needed men and women of another sort in its midst, never more so than now. In my journal concerning this, I've written, "Do I have the courage to be a man of another sort?" I hope that I have been. Do I still? Do I still, now that I have come into my old age? Can I, will I, still risk all for Him, trusting in His promises and His presence? In my increasing weakness, can I still see His infinite strength? The church is filled with those whose outlook is in line with that of the ten. They were leaders in their tribes, yet they were unable to lead their people in this time of risk and challenge. There was a heavy price to pay for their disobedience; forty years of wandering in the wilderness. Every one of the 10 died in that wilderness. Joshua and Caleb did not. They entered into His promise, but they lost all those years because of the fear of the 10. Are we living in such a way as to inspire, encourage, and challenge those around us to trust, believe, and obey Him? Men and women of another sort can and do. Can we be among them? The church, this nation, and all nations, desperately need people who are of another sort. God has raised such up throughout the history of the church. He is still doing so. Will you and I be among them.....or will we be found among the ten? Blessings, Pastor O