Training as a Leader
September 1st, 2009Today’s lesson scripture tells of Moses’ encounter with God on the mountain – accompanied for part of that encounter by Joshua and others. Much of that time was spent waiting – something we humans are particularly bad at doing. This was not only a lesson for Moses and Joshua – it’s still a lesson for us:
12 The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.”
13 So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God.
14 To the elders he had said, “Wait here for us, until we come to you again; for Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them.”
15 Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain.
16 The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud.
17 Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel.
18 Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights. Ex 24:12-18 (NRSV)
How do you deal with your bent toward impatience? Can you imagine waiting for six days . . . and then for forty more?
True leadership requires patience.
I deal with my impatience by praying that God be with me during those times. I know fellow Christians that have waited greater than 6 days for things to happen in their life and, as a rule, they continue to study His Word and pray during those times. When their waiting comes to a close and God reveals His plan to them, they better understand what they have learned from his Word and his demonstrated love. Hang in there….blessed days come to those who wait!