The course I am taking this month is Effective Leadership.
I have enjoyed the text, actually and pray that what I am reading goes deep into my heart and mind so that I can be the effective leader that God has called me to be.
In reading, there are several types of leaders: Doing, Equipping and Developing are just 3 that are discussed in the text. I want to touch on the “doer”. This leader will exhaust him/herself quickly because they try to take everything on themselves. Moses was a “doer” until his father-in-law, Jethro, stepped in.
You see, at this time, Moses would take his place early in the morning and not move till evening while the people would gather in a long line waiting to share their struggles and/or disputes in a one on one fashion and Moses was growing very weary. Then comes Jethro.
Exodus 18:17-27
New Living Translation (NLT)
17 “This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. 18 “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. 19 Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him. 20 Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives. 21 But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. 22 They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you. 23 If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.”
24 Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and followed his suggestions. 25 He chose capable men from all over Israel and appointed them as leaders over the people. He put them in charge of groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. 26 These men were always available to solve the people’s common disputes. They brought the major cases to Moses, but they took care of the smaller matters themselves.
27 Soon after this, Moses said good-bye to his father-in-law, who returned to his own land.
Here is the reality of what happened to Moses:First he changed his way of thinking. The author of my text shares a quote from John Maxwell’s book Thinking for a Change, “If you change your thinking, you will change your life.” Moses’ life didn’t change just because someone relayed a great suggestion. He changed because he began to think differently about how he approached his work, his time, his people, his family, his energy, even his calling (Chapter 8, 89).
Then, not only did Moses make these leadership changes, he stuck with them! So he did not just think differently, he started DOING things differently, too!
We are creatures of habit and it is so hard to change. I love the saying that things will always be the way they are until the pain of remaining the same is greater than the pain of change.
I don’t believe in coincidence. I believe that God is always moving and speaking into our lives. One way that this happens for me is through music. I LOVE music. There are two songs that have spoken to my heart so greatly these past few weeks. They are about Moses and David. Two men who longed to be used by God, didn’t always get it right, but yearned for it none the less. In fact, the beginning of the song about Moses is almost word for word the cry of my heart on a daily basis.
Take a listen. And then I suggest buying the CD! You won’t be disappointed…I promise!!
From, Music Inspired by The Story- It Must Be You (Moses) and Your Heart (David).
I just want to be a leader that God can be proud of. I don’t know why He chose me to be who I am. So many days I wonder and ask Him , “Who am I? Who am I that You would choose me?” I don’t know that I will ever understand. But as the song says, “At the end of the day I want to hear people say that my heart looks like Your heart, that my heart looks like Your heart.”