Hi guys! I’m so excited to bring you daily readings from God’s Word. Sometimes it will be straight from what’s on my heart, and then other times, like today, it will be from wholehearted passages I’ve found on the YouVersion Bible App. If you don’t have it, please go download it now! Everyone needs a Bible at their fingertips!
EXPLORE YOUR GIFTS
by AWANA
“You probably know Moses’ early story. But his passion was first ignited by seeing two powerful incidents.
Read Exodus 2:11-2:22.
“(vs.11) Many years later, when Moses had grown up, he went out to visit his own people, the Hebrews, and he saw how hard they were forced to work. During his visit, he saw an Egyptian beating one of his fellow Hebrews. (vs. 12) After looking in all directions to make sure no one was watching, Moses killed the Egyptian and hid the body in the sand. (vs. 13) The next day, when Moses went out to visit his people again, he saw two Hebrew men fighting. “Why are you beating up your friend?” Moses said to the one who had started the fight. (vs.14) The man replied, “Who appointed you to be our prince and judge? Are you going to kill me as you killed that Egyptian yesterday?” Then Moses was afraid, thinking, “Everyone knows what I did.” (vs.15) And sure enough, Pharaoh heard what had happened, and he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in the land of Midian. When Moses arrived in Midian, he sat down beside a well. (vs.16) Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters who came as usual to draw water and fill the water troughs for their father’s flocks. (vs.17) But some other shepherds came and chased them away. So Moses jumped up and rescued the girls from the shepherds. Then he drew water for their flocks. (vs.18) When the girls returned to Reuel, their father, he asked, “Why are you back so soon today?” (vs.19) “An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds,” they answered. “And then he drew water for us and watered our flocks.” (vs.20) “Then where is he?” their father asked. “Why did you leave him there? Invite him to come and eat with us.” (vs.21) Moses accepted the invitation, and he settled there with him. In time, Reuel gave Moses his daughter Zipporah to be his wife. (vs.22) Later she gave birth to a son, and Moses named him Gershom, for he explained, “I have been a foreigner in a foreign land.”
These were Moses’ people – people that he deeply cared about. Instantly, a chord was struck and Moses knew that something was wrong. He had to act. His passion was deepened when he saw two Hebrews quarreling with each other. His people needed a leader. Something had to be done. Time to take action, right? Wrong. God had other plans.
Then, right at the point where most of us would take action, Moses takes another career. Far away from the action, he learns to lead sheep. Scholars believe that Moses spent nearly 40 years as a shepherd – almost the span of an entire career today – separated from the people he longed to lead. Why?
Miles away, the people were being prepared for deliverance at the same time that their deliverer was being prepared to lead them. Moses’ ascent to leadership illustrates the reality that experiences often ignite passion, but disciplines sustain it.
THOUGHTS FOR LEADERS
Many emerging leaders live with a very deep tension: On one hand, you don’t want to waste your life, but waiting for a position of leadership is often frustrating.
It’s important to realize that there is a profound difference between passive waiting and active waiting. Passive waiting can take the form of cynicism, complaining, or simply doing nothing. Active waiting, however, is a posture that seeks to cultivate habits that are focused on intentional preparation. While God is orchestrating the events surrounding what you will do, He is also making you who you must become.” (BOOM!)
“While God is orchestrating the events surrounding what you will do, He is also making you who you must become.”
QUESTIONS
“It’s likely that your passion was born out of an experience or set of experiences. If you’re not currently in a place where you can act on your passion, what can you do to cultivate it?
Moses spent forty years as a shepherd before he led God’s people out of bondage. How do you think those years prepared him?
Many potential leaders fade in their passion because they’re simply impatient. It’s interesting that Moses was fully engaged where he was when God finally spoke to him. Is the pursuit of your passion preventing you from the preparation that God wants to begin in you?”
Wow. This one truly struck so many chords in me. As I begin this new adventure in Tulsa, and taking ALDS full-time, I begin to realize and understand that this is just the start. I do not know where God is taking me for the rest of today or for tomorrow. But, I do know I am so incredibly thankful. I will keep my eyes on Him so that I know exactly where He wants me to go, and when I need to go there. Like I said, this daily devotional category is going to be the rock of this blog. Everything will flow from the heart. I’m so excited to meet new people, and I pray that hearts and conversations are stirred because of God’s work in you!
-ash
This is SO hard to do. It seems years upon years of waiting.. However God is showing me daily that He keeps His promises. I need to surrender to His will. It’s not supposed to be about me. Thank you for sharing this.
jayme
You are so right. It really is hard! Especially when we are so focused on how little our time here on earth is, and we just feel like we have better ideas in mind for our lives. You’re right, I’m SO thankful He keeps His promises. He truly knows what’s best for us, even when we don’t understand. There’s always a BIGGER, BETTER plan. Even when it doesn’t match ours. Praying for you! Thank you so much for reading. 🙂 Love you!
Praise the Lord Ash! It’s been a blessing to read this Word which does speak to my situation at present. Do keep posting and writing the Words of truth as per God’s leading which will reach out to the right one’s who have to hear it and recieve it in Jesus name. Amen! I was looking for active and passive wait meaning and then was drawn to read this Word. So, God uses His Word, through vessels like u for his Word to be delivered in His timing for the right one!
Joy! How sweet and timely it is for me to read this. It truly means more to me than you know! Thank you so much for your encouragement!