|
| Inspiring leadership |
|
| |
This morning, as I was doing my devotional bible reading, I came across a superb illustration of Godly leadership, which really inspired me. After God pronounced judgment on the Israelites for worshiping the golden calf, Moses went before God on their behalf:
34:8 Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. 34:9 “Oh Lord, if I have found favor in your eyes,” he said, “then let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as your inheritance.”
Of course there’s the obvious fact that Moses, the leader of the wandering Israelites, worshiped God and interceded for his people. But as I read, something different jumped out at me. As he spoke with God, he quickly transitioned from “I” to “us” and “our” as he asked the Lord to go with the people and not reject them.
In identifying with his people, Moses did two incredible things. First, he sought to apply the benefits of his good favor with God to the people he served, rather than rest in his own position of privilege! And then conversely, when it came to the people’s sin and wickedness, he included himself among the guilty, even offering to die in their place (Ex. 32:32)! Later, another great leader of people would approach his leadership calling in a very similar way…our Lord, Jesus Christ!
Can anyone deny this is a model for great leadership? How many of our leaders cast their privilege by the wayside, preferring instead to identify with those they lead? How many see themselves as indistinguishable from those in need of forgiveness and redemption?
I’m sure there are a few. But those who don’t stand in stark contrast to the examples of Moses, and Jesus.
|
|
| To add a comment to "Inspiring leadership" |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| October 16, 2008 |
 |
|
|
Awesome post Mike... I wonder.... if it works the same for parents praying for their children.... an additional incentive for parents to remian in good favor with God, but of course no incentive should be necessary...right?
=0)
Btw... if you wouldn't mind lifting Melody up in prayer. I'm trying to head of a potential repeat of previous issues...ugh sorry for not being clear, but you and I have spoke on these issues before. Prayer for my peace of mind would also be appreciated my friend. Thank you ahead of time.
God bless you brother :0) |
|
|
| October 16, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Robin, I'm getting ready to head to a prayer meeting. I'll be more than happy to take your request with me. Thanks for your post!! |
|
|
| October 16, 2008 |
|
|
|
this is how I still pray for my family
Awesome stuff! |
|
|
| October 16, 2008 |
|
|
|
To put others before yourself, to include yourself as not better than anyone else,but as one who have sinned just like everybody else.
Many of our leaders count themselves above the ones they lead and that is a shame. I can probably count on one hand those that I know of who do not appear to be standing on a pedestal. But not only our leaders but even family and friends.
When we count ourselves as one, together in this world as brothers and sisters, it will a much better place.
WHEN OUR LORD RETURNS ALL THINGS WILL BE NEW ..... |
|
|
| October 16, 2008 |
|
|
|
| This is really good! Got me thinking about my prayer life and where I struggle in it. And it gave me an answer!!!!!!! You see, I struggle with praying for myself.....I struggle with feeling it's selfish.......but while I'm praying for others, then I could include myself along with them.......thanks!!!!!!!! Wow, this blog was about leaders, but it hit me altogether in a different way.......thank you Lord! |
|
|
| October 16, 2008 |
|
|
|
Great post Mike; I do love how you think. wouldn't it be nice If we would have leaders like that/? That would follow those examples? But maybe we should not wait for leaders to arrive and we take it upon ourseves to follow the example... Do you remember the simpler times? when things were hard, but people helped one another... we stood for something we were proud of doing hard work and it wasn't all about money, it was the good pride of following the word of the Lord, and it was much slow pace... Sorry I got off on something else... I went to see that movie, and it just brought so many things... my mind is racing in a hundred different places... Crazy huh..
Great Post. love ya Mike God bless you and your family... and thank you for being my friend. |
|
|
| October 16, 2008 |
|
|
|
Thanks Bubbles! I traded comments w/your man yesterday. Awesome guy you have there! Mary,many of today's leaders stand on a pedestal...and it is frustrating and saddening to see. Servant leadership is a great model that we do not see enough of!! HotPickledPeppers, so glad the Lord spoke to you though this. That is consistent w/the message here, identification w/others means including YOURSELFin there needs, and including THEM in your successes! BTW, nice to meet you! |
|
|
| October 16, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Thanks Marilyn! And yes, it seems when I was young times were simpler. They sure were safer!! Maybe you were called to lead! We never know, those called (by God!!) to lead may not look anything like what we would expect a leader to look like. David is a great example!! |
|
|
| October 16, 2008 |
|
|
|
| PEPPERS!!! aka CindyLou, shame on you! You fooled me! One QUICK look on your profile told me you were no newbie but the Razorback fan we all know and love. You rascal! |
|
|
| October 17, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Great Point Mike! What is at the center of SIN? " I " |
|
|
| October 17, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Great insight Mike! I never really thought about this until you turned light on. There is without a doubt something pretty meaty to chew on here. Thanks! |
|
|
| October 17, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Great one Bro.! |
|
|
| October 17, 2008 |
|
|
|
| awesome truth- thanks for sharing! |
|
|
| October 17, 2008 |
|
|
|
| You're baaaack!!! |
|
|
| October 17, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Yes!!! God DOES answer prayers!!!!! :-) |
|
|
| October 17, 2008 |
|
|
|
| I don't know how my Pastor prays in His personal prayer life, but by the love he has for his congregation and the passion he preaches with I would be willing to bet that this is just how he prays. Also thanks for this I think I may need to tweek my prayer life a bit. |
|
|
| October 18, 2008 |
|
|
|
Thanks Angela! Yeah, I'm tweakin mine too!
(Yay, blogs are back!!) |
|
|
| October 18, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Great one Mike! |
|
|
| October 18, 2008 |
|
|
|
| That's certainly food for thought!! |
|
|
| October 19, 2008 |
|
|
|
Good blog |
|
|
| October 19, 2008 |
|
|
|
With the cloud during the day and the pillar of fire at night basically all Moses did is follow wherever GOD led and others followed him. Because GOD was so obvious he couldn't even get credit. But he sure could get blame when the going got tough or uncomfortable.
Right after the scripture you shared from Exodus GOD is telling Moses to depart from that place. Moses says if I am going to lead this people who is going to go with me. Moses had been to the mountaintop and had gotten the "blueprint for holiness" while the rest of his leadership team stayed behind and figured out what they needed to do to satisfy their "congregation". GOD replies that His Presence will go with him and he will find rest.
Godly leaders will always wait on the Lord even when the issues and pressures demand action now.
Godly leaders are easily replaced. What they build is built on rock not on them.
Godly leaders are clueless. Many times their answer to your question is "I don't know." But they have a way of bringing you to Jesus and somehow the question is not answered but you have your answer.
Godly leaders have a way of inspiring away from the "golden calf" and into the presence of GOD.
But in all fairness Mike, inspiring leaders need to be inspired. I have written in others' blogs and in emails over the past month or so about the burning bush that Moses encountered. A simple, insignificant bush in the middle of nowhere at Mt. Horeb (which means waste). Who knows when it caught on fire, how long it burned unnoticed. Perhaps Moses had passed this "person" who had wasted much of their life looking back on their life with regret nd shame but somehow had gotten past themselves and into GOD and now the presence of GOD burned within them.
Moses, the one who had so much potential when he was younger, who made mistakes and lived with the consequences of those mistakes...Moses, the one who settled for the life he lived instead of settling things with GOD...Moses, the one who was beyond being able to be used to lead anyone anywhere...
This Moses one day encountered a life aflame with the very Presence of GOD. Moses heard the voice of GOD coming from this bush. The bush was silent. The words Moses heard were not from the bush but GOD who lived within the bush. After the conversation ended Moses departed from there.
Did the bush ever know how it had been used to touch Moses?
Did anyone else ever see this burning bush or did it live out the rest of its' days in obscurity?
Perhaps our greatest need today is not for inspired leadership but burning bushes, men and women of GOD whose hearts and lives are so consumed with a love for GOD that they are not consumed by circumstance or situation, struggle or battle, adversity or admiration. They simply follow wherever GOD leads.
If we really want to have inspired leadership let's inspire our leaders. Not with admiring words, pay raises, and votes but with intercession, involvement, and integrity.
"But....."
That is how the inspired leadership of Moses began.
.....peace..... |
|
|
| October 19, 2008 |
|
|
|
Gordon, thank you for taking the time, your comments always add much to the discussion. You are appreciated brother.
I think you are actually saying that burning bushes (and inspiring leaders) are common. As in, there is nothing special about them, in and of themselves. However, I wouldn't consider Godly leaders easily replaced, at least not in the sense that we can grab any everyday bush and "set it on fire". Much of the church, and the world, suffers tremendously due to the lack of Godly, inspired leadership. There is a distinct shortage of men and women with the combination of leadership gifts and courage to surrender themselves totally to God and sacrifice themselves for the people they would lead. (Courage to sacrifice being the key....far too many people believe it's the leadership skills that make a great leader.) Moses led over a million Israelites through the harshes natural conditions. Many of our leaders today struggle to lead a mere handful of people anywhere.
Megan, Shirley, Joey, thanks for reading! |
|
|
| October 19, 2008 |
|
|
|
What jumps out here is That We are to absolutely intercede for others sins not just Our own.
We Restore, We also Redeem, We Make Restitution with God Regarding Their sin's.
We Plead to God to Honor Our Faith [Our Right-Standings] and ask Him to not be Harsh in Dealing with a Person's sin's, on their behalf.
But also like Jesus Prayed Let This cup Pass, [God's Decisions] But His Will Be done.
There are times where We can Insolate & Cushion & intervene for Other's, But Not always.
Moses Here Pleaded with God....Yet God's Decision was Severe [tough love] was immediately
administered to the Israelites [judgement] for their sin.
Moses ...what He asked for was not granted....then God proceeded to [judge] His will.
Basically Telling Moses or any Person Praying [NO].....Here is what [WE] will do about this or that.
We need to Hear & Know what God's Final Answer is.
Then act on God's Behalf in administering His Judgements or His Decisions re: any Matters. |
|
|
| October 19, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Great blog Mike! |
|
|
| October 19, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Really really good blog :-) |
|
|
| October 22, 2008 |
|
|
|
Isn't it incredible that the Savior of the World came to serve! At times, mind-blowing....
We all need a reminder from time to time as to what "it's" all about....
As always, great insight Mike!
Thank you! |
|
|
| October 22, 2008 |
|
|
|
Thanks Deb, appreciate you sister! Contemplating Life, so glad you enjoyed it. Tabitha.... I will never, ever get over that. We have a serving Savior....amazing, and also very humbling! Thanks for your comment! |
|
|
| October 23, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Very good insights! I love the parallel to Christ. Well-done! |
|
|
Follow this blog
