Some moments mark us forever. We remember where we were, how we felt, and what changed afterward. Around the holidays, especially near a Christmas church service, it is easy to rush through the days and miss those moments, the ones where God showed up, helped us, or reminded us we were not alone.
In Joshua 4, we see one of those moments. God did something big, and His people made sure they would not forget it. Pastor Nick Newman’s message, “Watermarked,” helps us connect that story to our lives today. Looking back helps us move forward. As we reach the end of the year in Mount Pleasant, NC, it is a good time to slow down and think about what God has done in our own lives.
Crossing the River and What It Meant
The people of Israel had finally reached the edge of the Jordan River after 40 long years in the desert. This was the moment they had been waiting for, but the river stood in their way. That is when God showed up again.
He held back the water of the Jordan so they could walk across dry ground. It was not just about getting to the other side; it was a way for God to say, “I have not forgotten you. I will take you where you need to go.”
That crossing meant more than a change in location. It marked a shift in their story, from wandering to entering the promise. It reminded them God was with them, guiding every step, even when things looked stuck. Knowing how long they had waited makes that moment even more powerful.
Why They Stacked Stones
Right after the crossing, God gave the Israelites an unexpected instruction. He told them to go back into the riverbed and grab twelve large stones, one for each tribe. Not for building, not for decoration. These stones were memory markers.
When they piled them on the riverbank, it was more than just a stack of rocks. It was a way to say, “God did something here.” Like a watermark on a photo, those stones proved that what had happened was not just a story; it was real.
God even said these stones should spark questions from the next generation. When kids asked, “What are these for?” the answer would point straight back to God’s faithfulness. Those stones were not just about remembering the past; they were about shaping the future, too.
How God Marks Our Lives Today
We might not grab stones and pile them outside our house, but that does not mean God stops marking moments. He still does things in our lives that are worth holding onto.
Sometimes it looks like healing after a long struggle. Other times, it is a moment of peace in the middle of the storm. It might even come in the form of a change we did not expect, something that set our lives in a new direction.
At Propel Church, our mission is to help people encounter Jesus in real and personal ways. Whether through engaging worship experiences or practical teaching, we are committed to helping our Mount Pleasant, NC, community see evidence of God’s faithfulness in everyday life.
During the holidays, emotions can feel heavier. Joy and sadness often sit side by side. That makes it even more important to remember the ways God has shown up before. When we feel stuck or like our prayers are going unnoticed, we can look back and see the marks He has already left and trust He is not finished yet.
Making Room to Remember
Life moves fast this time of year. Between planning, hosting, working, and keeping up with everything, it is not always easy to pause. Building space into our lives to remember what God has done can change how we see today.
That might look like:
- Writing down moments we are thankful for
- Taking time to pray and reflect on the year
- Sharing stories with family or friends about how we have seen God work
These do not have to be big or formal. Simple things help us catch what we might have missed. They shift our focus away from what we feel like we still lack and point us back to everything God has done. When things feel uncertain again, these memories help steady our faith.
Marked by Something Bigger
The Israelites did not cross the river on their own, and we do not either. When God moves in our lives, He often leaves traces, reminders that we are part of something bigger than ourselves.
Propel Church is passionate about serving the local community through outreach projects and practical opportunities to give back, making it easier for people to recognize God at work amid their everyday routines.
As we reach the end of the year, it is a good time to reflect on where we have seen that. Maybe it was a conversation that brought clarity, a door that opened at just the right time, or the strength to make it through a hard season. Those are our watermark moments.
The story in Joshua 4 invites us to remember. Not just for memory’s sake but so we step into a new season with more confidence, more trust, and more awareness that God is still working.
Carrying God’s Marks into the Next Season
This Christmas, whether we find ourselves in a quiet house or a full one, let us take time to look back. There is usually something buried in the rush of everyday life that shows us we are not where we started. We have been marked by God’s goodness, mercy, and purpose. We can carry those reminders with us into whatever comes next.
Slowing down and reconnecting with what really matters can make all the difference this season. Gather with us for a moment like a Christmas church service to pause, take a breath, and remember where we have seen God at work in our lives. At Propel Church, we are here to walk through every step with you and your family in Mount Pleasant, NC. There is room for you here, no matter where you are coming from or what this year has been like. If being part of this sounds right for you, let us know.