North Korea has agreed to a nuclear moratorium. Tornadoes have killed at least 12 people in the Midwest. Egyptian officials have permitted American defendants to leave their country. But the death of a pop singer whose band was together only three years is headlining today’s news.
Davy Jones died yesterday at the age of 66. He was the lead singer for The Monkees, a band created by NBC in 1966 to capitalize on the global popularity of the Beatles. Their show lasted only two seasons; the band broke up the next year. But Davy Jones remained popular for the rest of his life.
The British singer toured the world. He appeared on television shows and participated in Monkees reunions. Trained as a jockey (he stood 5 feet 3 inches), he owned and raced horses. Andy Warhol claimed that everyone gets 15 minutes of fame–Davy Jones made his last a lifetime.
What will you do with yours? Are you still waiting for it to come?
Joshua had to wait 40 years for his opportunity. As we focus on the “fear nots” of Scripture during this Lenten season, today we come to God’s word to the new leader of his people: “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). Why did he need such encouragement? Why do we?
Joshua was one of 12 spies sent into Canaan by Moses. He and Caleb encouraged the people to take the land, but the other 10 spies were terrified of the Canaanites. When the nation joined their unbelief, all the Israelites were forced to wander in the wilderness for 40 years until this faithless generation had died. Now the nation was again poised to take Canaan, this time with Joshua at the helm. Under his leadership, the people would cross the flooded Jordan river, defeat the fortified city of Jericho, and capture their Promised Land. All because one man seized his opportunity in God’s timing, by God’s power.
You may feel today that you’re wandering in the wilderness with no purpose or significance, but you’re not. Yesterday I was struck by this word from God in Jesus Calling, one of my favorite devotionals: “You are on the right path. Listen more to Me, and less to your doubts. I am leading you along the way I designed just for you” (see Psalm 119:105).
Our culture measures significance by fame–God measures it by faith. Stay obedient to the last word you heard from your Father and open to the next. And know that he is using your faithfulness in ways you cannot measure. The world that is mourning the death of Davy Jones may not know your name, but the King of Kings will never forget it. Your next act of obedience will bear fruit forever.
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