No One Can Do It Alone
S: Exodus 18:18NIV- You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.
O: Moses and the Israelites defeated the Amalekites with the help of God. Soon after the victory, Jethro Moses' father-in-law comes to visit him bringing his wife and his two sons to see him. Upon Jethro's visit he observes Moses and his interaction with the people. He sees that Moses spends his days as the judge for all of Israel, settling disputes among the people. Moses tells Jethro that the people come to him to seek Gods will. Jethro is happy for Moses and the people for what God has done for them, but quickly realizes that Moses will be worn out if he has to manage all the burdens of his people. As a result he gives Moses probably the single most important piece of leadership advice he would ever receive. He tells him the burden is to heavy, and that he should not be handling it alone.
A: As a Pastor I always feel the weight of people's issues, but can't even imagine how Moses felt having to be the sole counselor for millions of people's problems. I think we all need a Jethro in our lives that can see our situation from the outside, and love us enough to tell us when we are trying to shoulder too much. I love Jethro because he did just acknowledge Moses leadership issues, he addresses them with a clear, practical plan for Moses to act out. He provides Moses with a system to delegate his authority. He also suggest that the delegated authority have a set of rules in which all matters of the people can be judged by. In doing this. He lightens Moses's load, while effectively responding to the needs of the people. This provides Moses with a type of government structure that can affect the community at large. As a leader you can't solve everything, but you have to know who you can trust to help you manage the load. When God calls us to something, He will never have you carry a burden alone, but rather He will always put the right people around you to help you fulfill His will. You just have to be willing to open your eyes to see the help around you. The next great leader can be standing right next to us, but we are so focused on getting the job done, we miss out on the opportunity to grow others around us. I always want to be the type of leader that brings people on the journey with me. By helping others realize their God given potential, they can help you reach your own.
P: God thank You for the people you have placed in my life to speak the truths I need to hear. God I also thank You for the people You have brought along side me to take this journey. Help me see the potential in others that I may not have seen before, so that together we can all accomplish Your greater good. Amen.
