In a church world where pastors have more and more in common with Steve Jobs or Donald Trump than with Jesus the Good Shepherd, certain passages pop off the page.
Moses said to the LORD, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” Exodus 33:12-16
There’s no question that Moses was a leader—he had hundreds of thousands if not a few million people in tow—but the strength of his influence wasn’t found in his natural abilities—he stuttered—or the books that he had read—he was more of a writer, in stone to be exact—but in the company that he kept—namely, the presence of God.
Moses was a leader, but I for one am struck by Moses the follower! Cloud by day and fire by night with Moses right behind. His counsel came from his face-to-face encounters with God in the tent of meeting where ‘anyone could go’ (33:7) but, apparently, only he and Joshua went—the mark of real leadership within the church is going where few dare to go, not necessarily deeper into books or across the country to another conference, but into the very presence of God!
Whatever you lead this year, let it be from the supreme value of a place of being led—from the place where ‘anyone can go’—before God, face to face.
