Delegation (2) - Exodus series (2)

We often set out to save the world, but we frequently do it at the expense of our families.

Over-commitment can also threaten your health. There are a whole host of diseases that have been documented to be caused or exacerbated by emotional stress: asthma, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, ulcers, colon cancer, and headaches.

Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro came to him and offered him some advice.

Let’s look at verse 14: When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, "What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?"

Jethro asked Moses 2 very relevant questions that leaders should to ask themselves frequently.

The first has to with priorities, what is this that you are doing? What are you ultimately trying to accomplish? Moses’ primary calling and talent was not counseling but it was in getting these people to the Promised Land.

The second question has to do with personnel. Moses why are you doing this alone? You have lots of people who can help you.

In verse 15 Moses answers, "Because the people come to me to seek God’s will.” What Moses is saying is something we’ve all been taught to tell ourselves, that if you want a job done well, you have to do it yourself. And we echo Moses’ sentiment as we show the world that, “I’m indispensable.” It’s a lie that many of us have been taught to believe and buy into wholeheartedly.

What happened to Moses happens to leaders at every level. They try to do it all. One historian says that Jimmy Carter was so detailed oriented at first that when he took office he was involved in scheduling people who would play tennis on the White House courts. A leader who doesn’t delegate not only can bog himself down but it can hamstring the entire organization.

So Jethro gave Moses some suggestions that we all need to heed. Look at verse 17: Moses’ father-in-law replied, "What you are doing is not good.

First he said, “Moses, you need to be the people’s representative before God and bring your disputes to him. Your priority is to have a right relationship with God. You spend time with God because being a leader is not just giving advice; it’s who you are on the inside. You have to have strength of character and integrity and be in it for the long haul.

Let me ask you this when was the last time you read the Bible and you weren’t in a hurry? You weren’t trying to squeeze it in. When was the last time you came to church or dinner or anyplace else, and left your cell phone or pager in the car?

Jesus accomplished more in three years than anybody, but He knew how and when to draw away from people to be with His Heavenly Father. Number one priority is to have a right relationship with God.

[continued tomorrow...]