Faith leaders keep pushing people toward the mission. That’s their “job.”
Sometimes on a Monday, or during certain stressful seasons of ministry, it can be easy for me to forget my primary role. I get distracted.
The few naysayers who are louder than the silent supporters. The constant nipping at my heels over changes being made. Or, the consistent attacks by the enemy.
There is always something that attempts to get me off my mission.
On days like this, I step away long enough to go back to truth. Such as when Moses led the people out of Egypt. God had finally convinced Pharaoh to let the people go. It seemed things were finally “working,” yet Pharaoh hardened his heart again and pursued the Israelites.
Remember that story? How did the people Moses was trying to lead respond?
“When Pharaoh got closer, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians marching after them, and they were terrified. The Israelites cried out to the Lord, and they said to Moses, ‘Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the desert? What in the world have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Isn’t this what we told you in Egypt, “Leave us alone so that we can serve the Egyptians, because it is better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!”’” (Exod. 14:10–12).
It was a revolt. A mutiny. A challenge to Moses’ leadership.
But what was Moses’s main job? Pushing people toward the mission—the God-given, God-ordained mission. So, how did Moses respond?
“Moses said to the people, ‘Do not fear! Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord that he will provide for you today; for the Egyptians that you see today, you will never, ever see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you can be still’” (vv. 13–14).
There were lots of things Moses wasn’t even responsible for—such as the outcome of the command he gave to the people. But he had one assignment. To trust God to complete his (God’s) plan.
Of course, that wasn’t easy for Moses. Moses would need to go back to God for his own encouragement. But he had his assignment. So, he kept going.
Because that’s what faith leaders do—they push, encourage, challenge—lead people to complete the mission.
Faith leader, keep going. Keep pursuing the God-given mission you’ve been handed. And keep pushing the people God has sent you to lead towards the mission.
I’m always a better leader when I remember my role and get out of the way to let God complete his. (By the way, you can read the rest of the story in Exodus 14 if you need a refresher. It ends well.)
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This article originally appeared on RonEdmondson.com and is reposted here by permission.