When I was done with my STEM program in college, I was not ready to start working. I decided to get my Master’s degree instead: build my skillset and spend more time thinking long and hard about my career path. At some point, my graduate program turned to a doctorate pursuit. The first couple of years were really easy. I was acing my classes and loving it. I was told that I was unlikely to pass the PhD Preliminary Examination because most people passed it on the second or third try, especially women. The same person also told me he knew a woman who passed it on first try. I went in, did my best and passed on first try. I was excited. Then, the challenge of the Ph.D. actually began. I could not graduate unless I had “original content” to publish. It seemed every idea I came up with was already taken in some part of the world. I was at my wit’s end. My spirit then reminded me of the story of the walls of Jericho falling down. I needed a breakthrough.
I re-read that Jericho passage (Joshua 6: 1-27) and got my mind prepared to do the same thing. I prayed God would help me do it right: the seven days of walking around a building and a seven-round walk on the last day, praying and praising. I did the walks around my engineering building daily, acting like I was talking on my phone so that people would not get scared of my intentions. It was faith-building. A friend of mine joined me a couple of times. You may not believe it but soon after my faith walk, a door finally opened in my doctorate walk. My research went quicker than normal. My dissertation and defense were very well-received. Even my advisor was shocked. He expected some pushback as there perhaps was with his former students.
Joshua 6:2-5 (NIV)
“2 Then the Lord said to Joshua, ‘See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. 3 March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. 4 Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. 5 When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.’”
I felt blessed! I worked hard but I know that without giving that entire work to God (Psalm 37:5, Proverbs 16:3), I would not have finished well.
I encourage you to take a walk with God, to take Him at His Word and see Him come through for you. You may not be called to do a Jericho faith walk. Maybe your spirit is telling you to fast or pray or fast and pray. Maybe you are called to sow a seed somewhere. Whatever it is, respond with faith and wait on God. Be blessed.
Father, we will trust You and obey. Thank You for making a way for us where there seems to be no way. Glorify Yourself in our lives. Amen!