(Images by this guy)

I’ve been reading through Exodus, paying particular attention to the leadership of Moses.  I figured since he confronted the most powerful man in Egypt, lead an entire nation out of bondage, crossed a sea on dry ground, wandered around in a desert for a while, all while supporting a wife and kids, and raising up a protege’… there had to be something I could learn. 

This is going to be a 3 part post on VISION, DISCIPLESHIP, and TEAM BUILDING.  I’ll start with vision.  Here’s some thoughts:

• God shared HIS vision for HIS people with HIS servant, Moses.  Exodus 3:10  Moses didn’t wake up one day and decide he was going to rebel against Pharaoh and lead Israelite nation.   He didn’t even want the job!  But God chose Moses to carry out His plan.
• Moses had no faith in himself.  Exodus 4:13  There was even a point where he cried out to God saying, “What do I do with these people?”  Moses was without a clue.  He had never lead an entire nation from the clutches of an Egyptian ruler before… He had never parted a sea before… and he had never seen manna come out of heaven before!  I’ve never lead a youth group of 50 students… I’ve never built a team of devoted leaders… I’ve never been on staff at a 500+ person church movement… But carrying out God’s vision is not about putting faith in ourselves, it’s all about putting faith in God.  This is a good point to put in the little phrase  If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always got.
  
• God promised to be there.  Exodus 3:12  Enough said!
• Despite Moses’ obedience to God’s vision, the people still questioned him.  Exodus 17:3  If you think a couple people walking out of your church is bad?!  These folks were ready to put stone to face!  Proverbs tells us that without vision people perish.  Vision is necessary.  But this visionary business is messy.  Not everyone will agree on the vision.  Not everyone will like the vision.  Not everyone will stick around to see the vision fulfilled.  The truth is, it is not everyone’s vision… its God’s vision… no one else gets an opinion.
• God supplied everything needed to survive.  Exodus 16:15  If God gives you a vision… relax… he WILL provide!

You are responsible for obeying God.  He’s responsible for the rest.