A MILESTONE MOMENT FOR NEW CITIZENS
Thousands of football fans in Jacksonville took a break from cheering on their teams to witness a different kind of accomplishment: 100 people taking their final step toward becoming U.S. citizens. During this ceremony, each candidate completed years of dedication to the naturalization process by taking the Oath of Allegiance to the United States. The new citizens represented 50 countries of origin. A witness described the joy and pride evident on the faces of the candidates as they reached this significant milestone. While this halftime show featured no elaborate stunts, musical performances, or dance routines, it provided something even more memorable. As the crowd cheered, these newest citizens of the United States of America celebrated a life-changing moment they will never forget.
A REMEMBRANCE STONE FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
Joshua has assembled all the tribes and leaders at Shechem. He gives a final sermon to encourage them to commit to serving God. Although Israel’s ancestors were idol-worshipers, they are called to reject the religions around them. The people repeatedly agree and commit to the covenant expectations. Joshua warns that keeping the covenant will not be easy, but rebellion will lead to disaster. The listeners want to choose the way of blessing, as Joshua had urged them to do, and they recommit to exclusive worship of God, formalizing a covenant renewal. Joshua records everything in written form, and as a second reminder he sets a standing stone as a witness to the commitments being made.
Questions
- What goal have you worked for years to accomplish?
- How do gratitude and focus impact long-term commitment?
- What challenges our exclusive allegiance and worship of God in today’s world?