Happy weekend, friends.
As many of you know, camp is now officially over as of about two weeks ago — hence why I haven’t sent a newsletter in about a month.
It was another amazing summer of ministry, leadership, growth, and life transformation here in the piney woods of East Texas, the hill country of Central Texas, and the rolling beauty of North Georgia.
I love what I get to do. I love the transient nature of camp life — campers coming and going week to week, staffers experiencing half a summer here and then being sent out.
I really love how willing and available my organization strives to be to position ourselves to serve and grow how God wants us to year by year.
And with the ever-nimble changes that the end to the summer brings, my job responsibilities have once again shifted. Plus, my oldest just started middle school! AHHHH.
So, I wrote this newsletter about stepping into a new season…mostly as a reminder to myself.
With the close of summer and beginning of a new school year, on the cusp of new fall season, a few weeks from a new quarter — I hope it stirs your heart and mind, too.
-jerv
In May, I sent out a newsletter about how “in times of transition, the choices we make are disproportionately important.”
These choices, the priorities you take into this transition, will set the tone and rhythms the DNA of the next season of your life.
And in these times of transition into a new season, God will draw close to you to test your heart to make sure your priorities are correctly set.
Maybe this is a perfect weekend to make the time to ask God and listen:
“Are you taking me into a new season in any area of my life? How do you want me to enter into it?”
Are You Ready to Cross Over?
Moses dies and then Joshua is commissioned by God as the new leader of his people. God promises Joshua the same presence and power He gave Moses.
At the end of Joshua 1–2, Israel has finally arrived at the eastern bank of the Jordan River after DECADES of wandering in the wilderness.
Joshua 3 begins the story of the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River — the gateway into Canaan — to officially and FINALLY step into their “new season”
and I think we can see some really valuable help for us in this transitional moment.
1. God Must Go First.
“When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God… you are to move out from your positions and follow it.” (v.3)
The ark symbolized God’s presence — so the people didn’t move until He moved.
I look back at the last few weeks of my life and I can say I’ve been moving too fast and too alone in some areas.
I’ve been making plans on my own before listening or sensing where the Spirit is resting. I’ve been shuffling around closing out a great summer and looking ahead to all the new job tasks, home projects to catch up on, finances to organize, kids’ school and sports stuff to sign up for…
Are you, like me, already moving and shaking and trying to make things happen before ever consulting with your Father about His plan, His process, His pace, His heart?
Before rushing into new rhythms, let’s watch first where God is moving, and then (AND ONLY THEN) follow. You can’t drag His presence behind your plans.
2. Prepare Yourself to Be Moved.
“Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” (v.5)
Before stepping into the new land, God called for heart preparation — setting apart, cleansing, re-aligning.
Life transitions aren’t just logistical — they’re spiritual.
Preparing your heart before this next season can and will protect you from being carried by uncontrolled momentum and instead position you to be propelled of a convicting mission.
Make the time this weekend to breathe slowly, release old beliefs and transgressions and anything weighing you down, pray and listen, write down what you hear, offer it to the Lord, and step into next week (and the next season) with His presence.
3. You’ll Have to Step into the Water Before It Parts.
“As soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water… stood in a heap.” (v.15-16)
God’s promise and miracle was activated by their step of faith. They didn’t wait until it was safe and dry; they stepped in when it was still rushing and seemed impossible to them.
You may need to take a small but decisive step of faith before you get the clarity you’re hoping for.
4. Stand Firm in the Middle of It.
“The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan…” (v.17)
The leaders didn’t just cross; they held their ground so others could pass safely.
As you step into this new season, part of your calling may be to hold steady in God’s presence for the sake of those following — your spouse, your kids, your coworkers, your neighbors, your friends.
A Prayer of Presence for Stepping into the Next Season
“Lord, I will not step ahead of You. You lead me into this next season, and let Your presence mark the plans, process, and pace of my life.”
By the way…
I’m grateful to pick back up this writing practice since the last month or so “off”. I look forward to working hard to keep providing value to you. It’s good for me — and I really pray it’s been helpful for you, too.
If you have someone close to you who is walking into any kind of “new season”, will you send this to them?
Love to you all.
Taylor Jervis
Tyler, Texas
August 15, 2025
PS - if this was in any way valuable to you, will you:
1) reply and let me know?
2) forward it to a friend who would be encouraged?