Just as Joshua made a difference, you can make a difference in the lives of others -- in your family, school, church, community, and world! The world needs you -- your ideas, your compassion, and your spiritual outlook. And, it's never too late to start contributing. The best gifts are those from the heart.

Biblical Background:
Joshua was Moses' right-hand man. When Moses sent out 12 men to spy out the Promised Land, Joshua and Caleb were the only two who had confidence in God that they could take the land. The others thought that the enemy was just too powerful. After Moses, Joshua became the leader of the children of Israel. He trusted wholeheartedly in God and led his people to victory in many battles.

Some of the ways Joshua made a difference:

• Refusing to be swayed by others' opinions when they checked out the Promised Land;
• Walking over the Jordan River on dry ground to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land (much like Moses parting the sea);
• Conquering Jericho (the enemy) by marching around the city walls and blowing on trumpets and shouting (not trying to knock it down with weapons);
• Commanding the sun to stand still, enabling the Israelites to defeat their enemies at Gibeon.

Conquering Jericho required unity and teamwork. For 6 days they marched around the wall once each day. On the 7th day, they marched around 7 times; and on the 7th time around, they all shouted when they heard the sound of the trumpets. The wall fell down.

You can make a difference:
1. Work for the good of the team:

• If you are on a sports team, cheerleading squad, in a theatre production, or a dance company, in a school club, a group in class, or anything that requires working with others, take an active role in creating unity.
• If no one is leading, become a leader. Take the initiative to help inspire others, and look for ways to unify.
• If there are conflicts, be courageous enough to find effective solutions. This could mean talking to those involved, finding a completely different answer, talking with an adult. It always means listening to God.
• If you are a follower, then follow well. Be willing to yield up your own opinion. There will be times when you think you are right (and you might be), but the majority will want to do something else. Be willing to go along with the majority (so long as it's not dangerous or illegal). The "right" will ultimately prevail. And if you are wrong, you won't look foolish for having clung to your opinions so doggedly.
• Listen to whomever is in charge. And when things get difficult, remember who is ultimately in charge -- God.

2. Trust in the principles God has established:

• Ask yourself: "Do I have the same trust in God that these Israelites had?" They walked around the wall as Joshua commanded because they trusted. They may not have understood the details of the siege on Jericho or how exactly marching and yelling could tear down a wall, but they still did it.
• You can trust in what God is telling you to do and obey His commands, even if you're not quite sure how everything is going to work out.

3. Be an individual who stands for principle:

• You'll have an opportunity on Halloween to stand for principle.
• A lot of people, maybe even some of your friends, may want to play practical jokes that actually hurt others (like egging cars, which ruins the paint and costs lots of money to have refinished; or smashing pumpkins in driveways; or toilet papering houses or trees, which takes tons of time to remove). You can stop such mindless pranks. You can be a voice for reason.
• The invitation to attend parties where there will be lots of drugs and drinking is quite possible. Do you really want to be in such an environment? Will you actually be able to make the atmosphere better by your presence? If you can keep your integrity and help others gain a greater sense of respect, then you will have done a great service by going to the party. If your presence won't change anything for the better, then you probably don't need to go, even though your friends are going. In fact, your absence might speak louder than your presence.

Enjoy being a team player, a leader, a follower, an individual who trusts in God and who stands for principle.