Years ago, I reported to my new assignment at Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. I met with my predecessor, attended several meetings and met my new contacts. Then I attended his award ceremony. As I thought about the topics discussed earlier and listened to the accolades showered on my predecessor, I sank lower and lower in my seat. “I am supposed to replace this guy and do all this?” Near the end of the ceremony, the general officiating at the ceremony pointed to me and said, “You have some big shoes to fill! Really big shoes!”
Regardless of the angst I felt that day, I cannot imagine the anxiety Joshua experienced when God announced Moses was dead. Moses had been God’s friend, Israel’s leader and mediator before God, and Joshua’s mentor for over 40 years. Now, Joshua was entrusted with the task of leading Israel into the Promised Land. Joshua had big shoes to fill! Really big shoes!
“Filling big shoes” is following in the footsteps of someone with a bigger than life persona. Their stature in the eyes of others, and more importantly in our own eyes, can paralyze us with feelings of inadequacy and insecurity. The “filling big shoes” syndrome convinces us to compare ourselves to others, and conclude we are no match for the task. We disqualify ourselves even before we begin the work at hand.
That is why God’s words of comfort and assurance to Joshua are so important, even today: “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage…” (v5-6). “…Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (v9). Comforting, encouraging words!
Then, God gave Joshua the secret for being successful in his new role; simple, straightforward instructions: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (v8). Joshua would never succeed by trying to be Moses or even doing things his own way. Joshua’s success was dependent wholly on his obedience to the Word of God.
God’s words to Joshua are applicable to us today. Do not try to fill the real or perceived big shoes before us. Instead, focus on God’s recipe for success: obey His Word, for then we will have true prosperity and success in all we do.
Lesson to Remember: You can never fill anyone else’s shoes. But you can excel in filling the shoes God has for you by following His Word.
“Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly…But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.”—Psalm 1:1-3
Years ago while working as a printing press operator at a large printing company in Fredericksburg VA, I was called into the mangers office. When ever you are called on “The Carpet”, you always think that something bad is going to happen. My manager proceeded to tell me that my immediate supervisor, Tom, had to be off for six weeks for surgery and to my surprise he wanted me to take over as supervisor. My response was that there were a lot of folks that had been here a lot longer then me.
His response was, ” If I didn’t think you could do it, I wouldn’t have asked you”.
WOW…Big shoes to fill!!! When I went home that night God put it in my heart that I did not have to fill any big shoes because He had a pair of shoes and a path for me to follow that only He could lead. Over the years I have tried to stay on that path and it has not been easy but it has been blessed and rewarding. Psalm 18:29 says “For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall”. Amen
Doug, thanks for sharing that wonderful story. God always has a plan for us to excel, if only we would accept it!