Numbers 11:28-30
Leadership is all about learning. I strongly believe that no one is “born” a leader! A leader is developed over time. From struggles to stress to satisfaction, leaders become leaders through experience. I would even add that the greatest experience is failure. Yes! You heard me right.
In the past three years, I have watched what some would call the “golden era” of Michigan football. I know, I know. I just lost half of you, but stay with me, and I think you’ll agree. What everyone sees right now is the defending National Champions of college football. What everyone fails to remember is how the program got to where it is today.
It seemly all started on a brisk autumn day in East Lansing when Michigan took on Michigan State in a game that I was able to attend with a friend from our church. To make a long story short, Michigan lost a large lead only to lose in the closing moments of the game. More of the same. Big game flops. Terrible decisions in big moments. Another loss to a rival school. It all seemed hopeless until it wasn’t. Over the course of the next two-and-a-half years, Michigan also got blown out by Georgia, lost a heartbreaker to Texas Christian University, and faced multiple challenges along the way. In the end, it taught them how to win. I would dare say that they learned from their mistakes, and the culmination of their education was a National Championship.
I think that we can all agree that most sports programs, secular organizations, and especially Believers in Jesus have made mistakes. What we do with those mistakes is what defines us...not the mistakes themselves. How will you handle your mistakes?
Joshua was the protege of Moses. He followed him. He watched him. He obeyed him. In reality, he adored him. When God decided to give Moses some helpers to carry the load of leadership, Joshua misunderstood the process. Here’s what happened: God told Moses that he was going to raise up 70 elders to help carry the load. Up to this point, the people saw Moses as the primary leader of Israel. For the people to be convinced that others were now leaders, something dramatic had to happen. So, God the Holy Spirit came upon these men, and they began to “prophesy” meaning that they began to praise God in such a way that their wisdom authenticated them as leaders. This took place in front of the people with all but two of these elders participating.
For whatever reason, two of the elders were missing. In a different location away from Moses and most of the people, they began to “prophesy.” When Joshua heard about it, he feared that these men had gone rogue, and that this would cause confusion and disunity. He quickly told Moses to squash it, and Moses instead, reprimanded Joshua. Moses told Joshua in essence that “it wasn’t about him!” In fact, Moses desired that all people would “prophesy!”
When you really think about Joshua’s reaction to these other two elders, it seems to make sense. He was “protecting the reputation” of his leader. The only problem is that the power and glory of God is NEVER about one man or woman. Moses wanted Joshua to understand that it was in the best interest of the nation that more and more people would become leaders and worshippers of God.
Joshua learned a valuable lesson that day. We should never attempt to put limits on “who” God can use and “how” God can use him. Joshua was loyal to Moses. That was a good thing as long as it didn't become idolatry. We don’t worship men or women. We worship the Lord God Almighty! The disciples would later make the same mistake in Mark 9:38-41. We’re NOT a part of an “in club!” God is using all kinds of people groups, in all kinds of ways, to do all kinds of miraculous things!
When I look back to the last three years as a Michigan football fan, it is not without its heartaches (in football perspective, of course)! I really think the team learned how to flourish, because it learned through failure. What about you? How are you learning to be a better leader because of your own mistakes? Be teachable.
Leadership is all about learning. I strongly believe that no one is “born” a leader! A leader is developed over time. From struggles to stress to satisfaction, leaders become leaders through experience. I would even add that the greatest experience is failure. Yes! You heard me right.
In the past three years, I have watched what some would call the “golden era” of Michigan football. I know, I know. I just lost half of you, but stay with me, and I think you’ll agree. What everyone sees right now is the defending National Champions of college football. What everyone fails to remember is how the program got to where it is today.
It seemly all started on a brisk autumn day in East Lansing when Michigan took on Michigan State in a game that I was able to attend with a friend from our church. To make a long story short, Michigan lost a large lead only to lose in the closing moments of the game. More of the same. Big game flops. Terrible decisions in big moments. Another loss to a rival school. It all seemed hopeless until it wasn’t. Over the course of the next two-and-a-half years, Michigan also got blown out by Georgia, lost a heartbreaker to Texas Christian University, and faced multiple challenges along the way. In the end, it taught them how to win. I would dare say that they learned from their mistakes, and the culmination of their education was a National Championship.
I think that we can all agree that most sports programs, secular organizations, and especially Believers in Jesus have made mistakes. What we do with those mistakes is what defines us...not the mistakes themselves. How will you handle your mistakes?
Joshua was the protege of Moses. He followed him. He watched him. He obeyed him. In reality, he adored him. When God decided to give Moses some helpers to carry the load of leadership, Joshua misunderstood the process. Here’s what happened: God told Moses that he was going to raise up 70 elders to help carry the load. Up to this point, the people saw Moses as the primary leader of Israel. For the people to be convinced that others were now leaders, something dramatic had to happen. So, God the Holy Spirit came upon these men, and they began to “prophesy” meaning that they began to praise God in such a way that their wisdom authenticated them as leaders. This took place in front of the people with all but two of these elders participating.
For whatever reason, two of the elders were missing. In a different location away from Moses and most of the people, they began to “prophesy.” When Joshua heard about it, he feared that these men had gone rogue, and that this would cause confusion and disunity. He quickly told Moses to squash it, and Moses instead, reprimanded Joshua. Moses told Joshua in essence that “it wasn’t about him!” In fact, Moses desired that all people would “prophesy!”
When you really think about Joshua’s reaction to these other two elders, it seems to make sense. He was “protecting the reputation” of his leader. The only problem is that the power and glory of God is NEVER about one man or woman. Moses wanted Joshua to understand that it was in the best interest of the nation that more and more people would become leaders and worshippers of God.
Joshua learned a valuable lesson that day. We should never attempt to put limits on “who” God can use and “how” God can use him. Joshua was loyal to Moses. That was a good thing as long as it didn't become idolatry. We don’t worship men or women. We worship the Lord God Almighty! The disciples would later make the same mistake in Mark 9:38-41. We’re NOT a part of an “in club!” God is using all kinds of people groups, in all kinds of ways, to do all kinds of miraculous things!
When I look back to the last three years as a Michigan football fan, it is not without its heartaches (in football perspective, of course)! I really think the team learned how to flourish, because it learned through failure. What about you? How are you learning to be a better leader because of your own mistakes? Be teachable.
Posted in Devotional