God has a good plan. Are you a settler?

In July, we talked about pioneers. Pioneers are courageous visionaries. They are aware of the risks, but they go forth anyway. They scout out the land, blaze the trails and build maps for those who will follow. They are the Lewises and Clarks of the world.

Pioneers pass their vision on to settlers.

Settlers receive the vision from the pioneers and make it their own. They also go forth, but unlike the pioneers, their mission is to possess the land. They work the land and plant crops. They reap the harvest. Settlers are hardworking and dedicated. They build cities, schools and ministries. They influence the government.

Settlers are also the Ekklesia.

In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said to Peter, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my Church, and the gates of hades will not overcome it.”

When Jesus said he would build his Church, the word he used was Ekklesia. Ekklesia was a secular word in Jewish society denoting a societal impact group with implications of influencing government, and even law. That’s what the Church is to be.

In Joshua 21:23-24, the Israelites are once again next to the Jordan River, poised to go into the Promised Land. They had been there 40 years before, but 10 of the 12 spies who were sent to scout out the land were overcome with fear and convinced the Israelites that they could not take the land.

As a result, God had caused Israel to wander in the desert for four decades until that generation was gone.

The only two remaining spies from that first scouting mission were Joshua and Caleb, with Joshua now in command. This time, two spies were sent across the Jordan to check out the land of their inheritance. When they returned, they reported, “The Lord has given us the whole land. All the people are terrified of us!” What a contrast!

The people of Israel crossed the Jordan and conquered the land. They settled their land of promise.

The Lord is still looking for courageous men and women who will be pioneers and settlers—men and women He can give His vision to who are brave and will go forth.

He wants pioneers who will receive His vision, and settlers who will make that vision theirs. Men and women who will build according to His will and will build His Kingdom.

Will you be one of God’s pioneers or settlers? It really doesn’t matter what your age is. God still has a plan for you—a good plan. A plan of purpose. A grand plan. An exciting plan. He will reveal it if you just ask Him.