Where Have All The Caleb's Gone?

Joshua 14:7, 10-11 - "I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land,….and now behold, I am eighty-five years old today. 11 " I am still as strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so my strength is now, for war and for going out and coming in.       NASU

·  Caleb Was A John Wayne Before There Was A John Wayne

I must admit this is one of my favorite passages of scriptures in the Bible. I get excited every time I read what Caleb says to Joshua. I can hear Caleb talking with a John Wayne voice when he says, "…I am 85 years old today (pilgrim) and I am still as strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me…"
 
I use his speech when I am tired to pump new life into my body.
 
I will say, "Serago you are only 62 years old, when Caleb was 85 years old, he said, 'He was just as strong at 85 as he was at 40.' You can't be tired. You can't let an 85 year old man put you to shame. Suck it up you big baby and start acting like Caleb."
 
That is pretty much all I have to do to charge my batteries and set out for a new adventure.

·  What Reinvigorates You?

People can be reinvigorated in a lot of ways. Maybe one or two of these will work for you: Get Some Exercise, Get Outdoors and take in the beauty of God's creation, Take a day off, Take a Nap, Watch an inspirational movie, or Read a Book (Like the Bible).
 
What is the best way to pump new life into your body and mind?
 
You really need to know the answer to that question because from time to time you are going to need to use this knowledge. Anyone can get mentally and physically tired and lose their focus. When this happens you must have a plan in place to get you out of this funk.
 
So when you lose your focus what is your plan to get you back on top of your game?
 
If you have ever watched or participated in high school or collegiate wrestling then you know that they have what is known as an overtime period, aka "sudden victory". Most wrestlers when they enter this period will use a takedown or an escape that they have practiced and executed a gazillion times.  
 
Why? Because it is something they know so well they can hit this move even when totally exhausted.
 
So you need to have a move that you can execute to charge your batteries even when you are totally exhausted.

·  What Reinvigorated Caleb?

Caleb used the method that is not uncommon even in our world today. He used the challenge of a new job. It wasn't a job that he didn't have any knowledge. It was a job that he had done before.
 
What was it that Caleb was going to do once again?

Josh.14:12 -"…give me this hill country about which the LORD spoke on that day, for you heard on that day that Anakim were there, with great fortified cities; perhaps the LORD will be with me, and I will drive them out as the LORD has spoken."       NASU

Caleb wants to do battle with the Anakim.
 
Caleb wants to conquer knew territory.
 
He wants to engage in another fight. Just like he had done many times before and how is he going to win this battle? He is going to win this battle with his faith in the LORD and the execution of a plan that has worked for him before. Caleb believes he can do anything as long as the LORD is with him.

·  Positive Thinking Reinvigorates Caleb 

You will remember it was Caleb and Joshua who were the "positive thinkers" who believed with all their hearts that they could conquer the land of Canaan (Num.13:1, 30) because the LORD was going to be with them.
 
There were 10 other spies who didn't believe the Israelites could conquer the land. One thing is for sure you must stay away from those who are negative thinkers because they will suck the life and energy right out of you. 

Think on These: 

The plain fact is that most humans are happy when they are striving for something worthwhile.
 
Every accomplishment, great or small, starts with the right decision, "I'll Try."

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago
Minister of God's Word