You started on the journey – excited, full of life, expecting nothing but the best. You did your background check, collected every data, all the bases were covered. Everything indicated you were set to make it.

Joshua 7:2-3 Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth Aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, “Go up and spy out the region.” So the men went up and spied out Ai. When they returned to Joshua, they said, “Not all people will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary all the people, for only a few men are there.”

And then, the worst happened – It didn’t go according to plan. You lost the job… The relationship ended… The marriage ended… The business collapsed…

Joshua 7:4-5 So about three thousand men went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai, who killed about thirty-six of them. They chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the stone quarries and struck them down on the slopes. At this the hearts of the people melted and became like water.

Your shame is public. The whole world knows – you lost your job, you are going through a divorce, you are on the verge of bankruptcy, your publicly declared relationship is no more. You have nowhere to run to.

Joshua 7:6 Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the Lord, remaining there till evening…

It is in such moments of anguish and desperation that we realize that our help cannot possibly come from man. It is our moment of surrender, our moment of heart-to-heart conversation, our moment to cry out (even yell out) to the Only One who can save us from our distress.

Joshua 7:9 The Canaanites will hear about this and they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. What then will you do for your own great name?”

In these moments, we are reduced to nothing. All we see around us is shame, mockery, disdain and reproach. The prospect of the name of the God we serve going down with us becomes real.

That’s when God steps in – even for the sake of His Name.

Joshua 7:13 “Go, consecrate the people. Tell them, ‘Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow; for this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: That which is devoted is among you, O Israel. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove it.’”

You see, in our moment of nothingness, we inevitably go through a Process that purifies our hearts and minds – aligning us to what matters to Him – and removing everything that holds us back from achieving the fullness of His purpose for our lives.

You are on course… You are making good progress. You overcome the pain of loss, you go through the process of transformation, you find inner peace… and truthfully speaking, you kind of enjoy the space you are in. You don’t have much, no one is around you, but you have learnt contentment.

And then, there’s an interruption. You receive the ‘call’… it’s another opening, it’s a new date, it’s a new business opportunity. It’s time to Get Back in the Game.

You are excited… yet Afraid. You are not sure if you still have it in you. Do you still have strategy? Do you still have anything to give anyone? Do you still have what it takes to have a good relationship? Do you still have what it takes to make a business grow?

Joshua 8:1 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai”

It’s one thing to take a fall and accept it; it’s another to find the strength to rise again. It takes strength… it takes courage… it takes faith to Get Back in the Game.

Whatever it takes… close your eyes… hold back your fears… take a single step… it’s time to move forward… Purpose is Calling… It’s time to Get Back in the Game.

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

That’s all the confidence you need for your new journey… Bon Voyage.