LEADERSHIP
“Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.” Exodus 32:34
When one thinks of great leaders in the Scripture, he must include Moses. He was God’s instrument to lead the Israelites out of their Egyptian bondage unto the land that was promised to Abraham. Moses had been preparing for this great assignment for many years while caring for his father-in-law’s sheep. Just as sheep need a shepherd (leader), people need a shepherd (leader). In the home, the work place, the school, the church, and in society, there must be leadership.
The Scripture gives us some practical pointers about the subject of leadership. Leaders must have direction. God told Moses to take the people to “the place of which I have spoken unto thee.” God had given Moses direction as to where He wanted these people to go. Leaders need to have some idea of where they are going. Jesus described the aimless people of His generation, and ours, as sheep without a shepherd. Dads should have an idea of where they want to take their children. Pastors have the Word of God to help them know where the congregation needs to go spiritually. As leaders, we should seek to lead according to the Bible. If there are going to be leaders, there must also be followers. Moses was told to “lead the people.”
It is a wise person that understands and accepts the basic fact that God uses leaders to guide His people. Sometimes people do not want to be led. Teenagers think they are as wise as their parents. Employees want as much say about their assignment or responsibilities as their employer. Church members resist the leadership of the pastor. The best of leaders cannot effectively lead if no one is willing to follow. Without leadership, everyone will be doing what is right in his own eyes. All of us, including those who are leading, are to be followers. Paul wrote that others should follow him as he was following Christ. For leadership to work, there must be followers.
We also learn from the Bible that leaders can have assistance. God said to Moses, “mine Angel shall go before thee.” It is good to know that God will lead leaders who are willing to follow. Leaders are not alone, we can look to God for guidance and help.