Daily Doses of Gospel "PiLLs": The Task of the Leader is to Get His People from Where They Are to Where They Have Not Been

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

The Task of the Leader is to Get His People from Where They Are to Where They Have Not Been

You’re not where you want to be but you’re not where you used to be, now that’s what you call PROGRESS. Shepherding or leading people is not a simple task as some suppose. Only those who are sent by God to fulfill the office of a pastor understand its heavy mandate. The countless late nights or early morning intercession for God’s guidance and direction while everyone sleeps, the constant interruption of telephone calls while you’re trying to have a romantic date with your spouse, the bickering of the people, and the never-ending criticism and table talk discussion of what you did or didn’t do are just a few to mention of what a leader has to endure.

Pastoring or leading people has its many challenges, and it’s an office that one must definitely be called to walk in. I heard someone once refer that Moses leading the Israelites was like herding cats. With all the drama that took place in his day, much has not changed in the 21st century.

The joke that Moses lost in the desert for 40 years but got everyone there eventually or if he had just asked Miriam for directions they would have arrived sooner has had its share of laughs. But the reality of that story in the book of Genesis and how it applies to us today is much deeper than a barrel of laughter. For in this particular story, it teaches us about the grave consequences that murmuring, complaining, and division can bring upon us.

A lesson repeated is a lesson not learned, but if you want to keep going around in circles, keep on complaining. You’ll soon find out, just like the Israelites did, but hopefully, not after 40 years; for it was not Moses but the people’s dissention and rebellion that kept them stuck in the wilderness.

Over the years, I have had leaders who patiently waited for me to mature, and I thank God they did. They loved me in my mess and my distress unconditionally. I probably would have walked out on me a long time ago, but they saw something in me, something through the eyes of faith and God’s love that just would not let me believe anything less than what the Father thought of me. Today, I thank my leaders who patiently showed me how to enter into the palace.

That is the mark of a good leader, the ability to wait while others grow. They suffer along with you while you talk about them, criticize them, hate them, mock them, and even try to belittle and overthrow them. Yet, they patiently wait for you to mature regardless of what you think or how you feel about them. They do what they do because they are CALLED to do what they do. In turn, the Lord blesses them with wisdom, unfolds His strategy and plan, and allows them to have those "meet with God intimate mountain top experiences" while gracing them with patience, love, LONGSUFFERING, and compassion for ALL people.

Although the cat-fights, whining, and tantrums that can take place is unbelievable, it is only because of God’s grace that you’ll find a good leader will outlive any adversity. Shepherds aren't a 24, 711 drive through with a mat that reads "Welcome, wipe your feet on me". But you'll find that many people will treat their leaders just that way.

If a man cannot be a Christian in the place he is, he cannot be a Christian anywhere. Whether you are a leader in the corporate world or a spiritual leader in ministry, even though people can behave so poorly, the fortitude that we have is not our own. Just like God told Moses and Joshua that He would be with them, so He will be with everyone who places his trust and total reliance in Him.

Tilt your hearts toward the SON!

In His Image,