Why Spiritual Markers Matter . . . and Why We Must Talk about Them

Joshua 4 talks about the Hebrews setting up stones to mark God’s leading them across the Jordan River into the Promised Land. These kinds of spiritual markers are, in my judgment, important to our walk with God. My goal in this post is to challenge parents and grandparents to make sure their offspring know the markers that have meant so much to them.

Why Spiritual Markers Matter:

1. They remind us of the power of God. In the case of Joshua 4, the markers were a reminder that “Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground” (v. 22). Our markers, too, take us back to a time when God’s care and power were most evident.
2. They give us confidence to face today’s battles. When we remember that God has always come through for us, it’s easier to trust Him in today’s struggle. In fact, we need those reminders to keep trusting.
3. They give our children confidence to fight tomorrow’s battles. That’s why Joshua describes the markers in terms of a question from children: “What do these stones mean to you?” (v. 6). The next generation would hear the stories and be challenged to trust God themselves.
4. They witness to the mighty hand of God. Joshua put it this way—God dried up the waters “so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty” (v. 24). The world most takes note of our faith not when we’re standing on the mountain, but when we realize God’s power in the impossible.

Three “Marker” Questions to Ask:

1. What are the spiritual markers in your life? Your conversion experience? Your baptism? Your call to ministry? Your marriage? A time when God clearly answered a long-term prayer? A difficult experience when only the grace of God kept you going—but it did? If you were drawing out your markers on a timeline, what would they be?
2. How many of your Christian friends know your markers? I fear that while we might list some markers, we’ve so kept them to ourselves that even our closest Christian friends don’t always know our stories. When we keep the markers only to ourselves, we miss an opportunity to praise God before others.
3. Do your own children and grandchildren know your markers? I’ve met many Christian parents and grandparents who’ve never taken the time to talk to their family about their personal walk with God. They do church together—even faithfully—but they seldom talk about spiritual things. Their own children don’t know how they were saved, when they were baptized, or what God’s taught them in tough times. Their faith, at least as far as their children are concerned, is marker-less. That’s tragic.

Markers matter. I challenge you to tell somebody this week about a marker event in your spiritual walk. You’ll be glad you did as you praise and thank God for His work in your life.