In Joshua 24, Joshua gathers the people together.  Many of us gathered together yesterday.  The purposes were the same – to recall our faith, to renew our souls, to challenge us to choose who we will serve, and to decide how we will live our lives.

Joshua begins by drawing the people back to their roots, to the father of Israel, to Abraham.  Joshua wanted them to see their common connection and to see how their faith had been developed and nurtured by many people.  In lots of churches yesterday we were also drawn back – to the saints who have gone before.  By remembering them, we too are reconnecting to our faith, to God, to our roots, and to each other.

All of us are who we are because of the people who molded and shaped us.  Maybe it was your parents or grandparents or a pastor or a friend who planted and nurtured those seeds of faith in you.  More likely it was a combination of people.  Give thanks for them.  But also emulate them because we all have a role to play for the next generation of faithful followers.  Consider your role today and begin to seek ways to live into your role.

Scripture reference: Joshua 24: 1-3a