A Jordan-Crossing Season:

Keys to Crossing Well

Aletta M. Price, Ph.D.

In Joshua 3, the weary Israelites finally get their moment…the long awaited crossing of the Jordan. After an incredibly long wilderness season, they are finally getting to enter into their Promised Land.

Many of us have been walking through our own wilderness season and are desperately awaiting a time of ease, a time of rest, and a time of things just not being so hard. Depending on the generation we grew up in, some of us bought into an idea that the land flowing with milk and honey was this glorious place where we just sat around being hand fed grapes…and even began to believe that this is what life is supposed to look like. Depending on what denominations we grew up in, some of us even believed that if our lives didn’t look perfect and easy, that would impact our entry to heaven.

That couldn’t be more untrue.

In fact, the actual land that was promised by God himself was BOTH “a land flowing with milk and honey” AND a land where they needed to be “prepared for war” (Ex. 3:8, Joshua 4:13).

I believe we are in our own Jordan crossing season and we are in need of a perspective shift to cross well. This is the end of an era where old things are falling away, and we are being prepared to enter a new season.

With that said, there are a few guiding points from the book of Joshua that show us how to cross our Jordan well.

1 - Wait on the Lord and let him lead.

“Joshua said to the children of Israel, Come here, and hear the words of the Lord your God…By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will without fail drive out from before you (your enemies): Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over before you into the Jordan.” (1)

“So it was, when the people set out from their camp to cross over the Jordan, with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, and as those who bore the ark came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water, that the waters which came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap very far away…then the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan. (2)

Impatience and fear can be our greatest downfall. If we go ahead of him, we may not make it to the other side. That, at best, leaves us stuck in the wilderness. If we do, by sheer will and determination make it to the other side before him, we find ourselves there alone and unprepared for the battles to come. On the other hand, if we give in to fear and don’t move, we—yet again—stay stuck in the wilderness.

We can trust him. He did it before with Moses and he did it again with Joshua. The Israelites crossed on dry ground when the Jordan was at flood stage…an obstacle that seemed impossible. Along with a healthy dose of discernment, it takes patience and bravery, wisdom and faith to wait on the Lord and cross as he leads. Yet, when we wait on him to lead, miracles happen.

Waiting, doesn’t mean doing nothing. We have to keep our eyes on him and be ready to step forward when he does. This means the enemy will be pushing in heavy to try to make us miss this next move of God. So, ask for an increase in discernment to be more aware of distraction and confusion. Be on the look out for anything that keeps you from being in alignment and fully focused on him.

2 - Leave behind what doesn't need to cross with you.

The Israelites were not carrying a ton of stuff. In fact, even “the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of the (promised) land. The children of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate the food of the land of Canaan that year. (3)

What physical or emotional baggage are you carrying that needs to be put down so you can walk freely into your new season and receive all he has for you?

3 - Don't assume you know what the next season looks like.

While the land promised to them was flowing with milk and honey, there were battles to fight and they didn’t win them all. When times are difficult, we want clear answers and it is human nature to cling to polarized viewpoints that seem familiar or safe. While that is easier, if we cling to a rule or particular verse alone, we will miss the new thing that God is doing in this season.

We are entering a new season. It is not going to look like it always has. We can’t keep using old thinking, or we will just relive the past that left us stuck in the wilderness. I believe we are going to look back on this era in future years and recognize this was the time people got fed up with broken systems (healthcare, justice, education, church, etc.) and narcissistic leaders. This is a coming season of new solutions to old problems, creative fixes to broken systems, and collaborative approaches to moving forward. We are all created uniquely to be a piece of the puzzle in bringing Heaven to Earth.

Enter this season with an open mind, heart, and hands. Let the Lord lead every step and expect to see miracles.

Guided Prayer

Imagine you are standing at the foot of your Jordan…the banks are over flowing… you need a miracle…and it all looks impossible.

- Begin with praise and thanksgiving. He is The God of Miracles.
- Ask the Lord what you need to put down. What doesn’t go with you into this new season? Give him space to answer, and write down what he says.
- Place whatever it is at his feet and repent for partnering with it. Do the same with any areas of distraction or confusion that come to mind.
- Ask him to increase the patience, bravery, wisdom, faith, and discernment it takes to wait on him to cross into your new season.
- Invite him to speak into whatever he wants you to see about what comes next. Give him space to answer and write down what he says.

1) Joshua 3:9-11, Holman NKJV Study Bible
2) Joshua 3:14-16, 17, Holman NKJV Study Bible
3) Joshua 5:12, Holman NKJV Study Bible

Photo Cred: Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash

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Aletta M. Price, Ph.D.

Dr. Aletta Price is the Executive Director of Paramount Learning, an educational organization that helps leaders make their vision a reality. She is also the founder of Creative Divine, an initiative focused on helping people find that creative spark within that they were made for. Dr. Price lives in Marietta, GA and comes alive creating space for friends and family to gather, connect to God and each other. Learn more by reaching out to her directly at aletta@paramountlearning.org