A WORD FOR TODAY, April 9, 2026
Peggy Hoppes
We pray you have been blessed by this daily devotion.
Blessings. Peg
A WORD FOR TODAY, April 9, 2026
“Now after the death of Moses the servant of Yahweh, Yahweh spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, ‘Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go across this Jordan, you and all these people, to the land which I am giving to them, even to the children of Israel. I have given you every place that the sole of your foot will tread on, as I told Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon even to the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your border. No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not fail you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous; for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you. Don’t turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success. Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.’” Joshua 1:1-9, WEB
There is a term that is used particularly in television circles that describes the moment a show begins its inevitable decline. The term is “jumping the shark” and is a reference to a point in the show “Happy Days” when Arthur Fonzarelli (Fonzie) ski jumped over a contained shark while on a visit to California. It was a crucial moment in the show because it indicated a transition from the wholesomeness of a family in the 1950’s to a focus on the near superhuman powers of the not so wholesome Fonzie. The show lasted another seven years, but it was never quite the same. When Fonzie jumped the shark, the character of “Happy Days” changed.
So, the term “jumping the shark” points toward a change in character, a moment when something or someone takes a new direction. That moment is usually something extraordinary, or at least out of the ordinary, and it leads to a decline in popularity. While it is most often used in reference to television shows, it has been said about politicians, products on the grocery shelves, and other things that begin to decline after a particularly unexpected action. It happens when a politician says something shocking or when a food product changes its formula. The public looks at them differently, rejects them, and thus the decline.
Those “jump the shark” moments often came when a show became stagnant. The writers of long-running shows eventually find it difficult to come up with new ideas. Children grow up and their place in the story has to change. Relationships mature to a point where they aren’t very exciting. How many times can you tell the same jokes over and over again? Unfortunately, some shows try to outlive their welcome, producing too many seasons. One of my favorite shows, one I still love, did not really have a “jump the shark” moment, but it aired for about two seasons longer than necessary. I never did watch those seasons, though I continue to watch reruns. I can’t even explain what went wrong, I just did not like the direction of the characters and the old jokes were not funny anymore.
Life changes. We all grow and mature, we see the world differently, and we need to go in a new direction. Data researches have determined that most people hold nearly thirteen different jobs during their careers. Young people are more likely to change jobs more often as they determine what they want to do, or are meant to do, with their lives. It isn’t just about new jobs, which can happen as a person moves within a company. The researches discovered that the average person typically goes through three to seven different careers. Those changes are often made for financial reasons, but many people simply discover that their work does not fulfill their expectations or fit into their lifestyles. Some people change because their chosen career field is no longer accessible. This is perhaps truer today than it was a few years ago since computers and artificial intelligences is making some professions obsolete.
You might think that creative careers would be safe from that problem, but AI is transforming those jobs, too. Computers can write books, make art, and create music faster, and sometimes better, than human beings. Sadly, modern technology can make anyone creative these days, and it isn’t really a new problem. More than a dozen years ago, I attended a lecture by a famous photographer at a university. One of the students asked how they could succeed in the photography business. The speaker said, “Don’t bother. Cell phones can already take better photos than you ever will.” He may have been ahead of the technology with that warning, but he was right. I carry my fancy camera, but my phone often does a better job.
It is easy for us to “jump the shark” when it comes to our lives. Some people make rash decisions about their careers. They think they see the writing on the wall, so they jump to a different career without considering whether it is really what they should be doing. Perhaps that’s why some young people change their jobs every three years or so. There is, however, times when we really need to move on to something different, to find a new way of using our gifts to serve God and the world. Joshua certainly found himself in a career change in today’s story. His teacher and guide died, and the responsibility of the nation was passed onto his shoulders.
God encouraged Joshua in his new role. He does the same for us when we are going through changes in our lives, whether it is by choice or of necessity. It is up to us to seek His guidance, to discern what He would have us do, so that we will be less likely to “jump the shark.” If we follow His will, even when the changes are hard, He will help us and we will glorify Him no matter what tomorrow holds.
A WORD FOR TODAY is posted five days a week – Monday through Friday. The devotional on Wednesday takes a look at the scripture from the Revised Common Lectionary for the upcoming Sunday. A WORD FOR TODAY is posted on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Word-for-Today-Devotional/339428839418276.