Let My Leaders God - Part 4

I’m sure you’ve heard the debated over whether leaders born or made.  While both sides are persuasive, I’m coming down in the middle; not because I’m unsure, but because I think both sides are right.  I think leaders are born, then made.  Sort of like how Adam was created (Gen 1:27), then formed (Gen 2:7). 

Because of my conviction on “giftings,” I think that we’re born with our unique something in us, but it has to be “made” or “formed” for us to our unique somebody.

I believe that Moses destined to be a deliverer, and was born with Leadership in him, but because he had not been made, he went before he was sent and somebody got killed.  He turned into a fugitive instead of a leader.  God had to take the born leader and set him free of some things before He could be used to free a people from bondage. 

Just as I believe we have something in us, I also believe we have something in our hand – some ability, enablement, gifting, skill, talent, resource, whatever – that will be instrumental to our God-designed success.  But just as we have to be made, that which is in our hand has to be laid down, in order to come alive.

Moses doubted that he had enough to perform the mountainous task God was assigning him, and was arguing that point when God broached, “What’s that in your hand?”  “A rod,” Moses retorted.

In herding and watching over the sheep, in his skilled hands, that rod represented Moses’ strength, his power and his authority in guiding the sheep and in dealing with serious situations.  As this desert herder had become seasoned, this rod had become an extension of his arm, in guiding and protecting his flock.  This rod had come to represent his identity, his skill and his resources.

“Throw it away,” God ordered.  For the first time in his exchange with God, Moses didn’t argue.  He just did it.  He threw the rod on the ground. 

When he threw it down, God made it come alive.

Moses had to release his identity, his talent, his protection, his strength and his experiences – all symbolic of his ability and good works – in order for God to make them alive.  In other words, now his good-works would be transformed into God-works.

I’m convinced that you already have what you need to accomplish you purpose, to fulfill the plan and reach your destination.  But first you must submit to the process of being “made.”  Sharpen every skill and ability God has given you.  But, then throw them away.  You must be willing to release all that has come to be identified as an extension of your “right arm” and let it become an extension of God’s “right arm.”  Throw it down and let Him return them to you “Alive!”

I find this fascinating: after God brought Moses’ rod to life, from then on Moses calls it “the Rod of God” (Ex 4:20, 17:9), but God called it Moses’ rod (Ex 14:16; 17:15).  God told Moses, “Lift up your rod.”  When Moses did, destiny-type things happened!

You’ve got “it” in you and what you need to accomplish “it” is in your hands.  But, if your rod has not first been thrown down, nothing will happen when you lift it up.

Comments

[Priscilla Harrell]

Pastor, you make it so clear. It is becoming some what easier to let go and let God. I do want my good-works to be transformed into GOD's-Work. It is a daily process, because it so easy to revert back. I have come to know the value of consistantly reading and studing God's word. This is what I do with my professional work and I know that I must do the same with my spiritual work. I do submit to the process of being made over, so that God can return it to me "ALIVE". You know, it takes away the pressure of figuring it out. I am enjoying my new walk with God. I know that God placed me where I should be. "I Thank God For You".

Priscilla