Today’s Reading, Exodus 16-18
Focal Scripture: Exodus 18:18 ““You will certainly wear out both yourself and these people who are with you, because the task is too heavy for you. You can’t do it alone.”
Good leaders know that they can’t lead alone. Good leaders desire to share the burden with others. Good leaders know that training other people on how to make biblical decisions, impacts many lives and generations. Bad leaders desire to make all of the decisions themselves. Bad leaders don’t take constructive criticism well. Bad leaders think they are the smartest person in the room. Leadership is knowing that you always have something to learn. Leadership is learning from wise people around you in every circumstance.
In today’s reading Moses is confronted by his father in law for not being wise with hostile and his resources. He is also confronted with not being aware of his own need of personal and physical health. Jethro saw what Moses couldn’t, his current pace was going to wear him out and crush his productivity. Jethro suggested that Moses appoint leaders over different size groups. Each of these leaders would be responsible for handling any situations that arose. Moses would then only hear the more extreme cases and make a decision. This process would train new leaders and allow Moses to have an actual life besides making all of the decisions.
I am not sure about you but I have been around leaders who not only wanted all the authority but demanded they have it at all times. One leader I dealt with would not allow anybody to make a decision without his approval. He even stated one time that he didn’t want others to be involved with the decision making because he was the ultimate authority. This leader resisted anybody who had influence and would challenge the status quo. Their leadership style was abusive and unbiblical. This leader tried rule by intimidation and secrecy. They did not believe that anybody else was capable of leading.
Why do I tell you this story? Because it is the opposite of the biblical model we see demonstrated in this context. Jethro encouraged Moses to give power away. Moses would be at his best when he didn’t lead by himself. Good leaders take the advice of others and then apply it to their situation. Great leaders know that sharing the load grows the ministry and organization exponentially.
So what type of leader are you? If you are the “boss” you are not a leader. If you’re the “‘man” you have a power complex. Biblical leadership empowers others and then celebrates their success. Good leadership wants others to be involved. Great leadership gives power and authority away so they can focus on the most important things, like the next step. Moses got more freedom to lead when he shared the load, the same is true for you and for me.
Give away leadership and then watch it grow in your own life.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Exodus 19-21
