expectations

I have been studying for the last couple of days about Moses.  When most people think of Moses they most always envision the character portraid by Charlton Heston in "The Ten Commandments".  A commanding strong individual.  However when you read the book of Exodus you will find this to not be.  You will find Moses as someone who did NOT want to lead.  Someone who had a ton of excuses when God shared with him that He would be the one to lead people out of slavery.  One part of the narrative is actually comical if you think about it.  As Moses and God are having this discourse and God is trying to convince Him to go back to Egypt, God instructs Moses to throw his staff upon the ground and when he does God transforms the staff into a snack.  Moses ran from it.  (Exodus 4:3).  I find humor in a man whom God is entrusting to lead a nation running from a snake....

Leading is not easy.  God had promised him all along the way that he would help him.  The issue was that Moses didn't "want" to.  God knew this was the man for the job though, he had been preparing him for many many years.

God expects a lot from his leaders. 

Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (Jas 3:1., NIV)

We are judged differently, or God has higher expectations if you will.

I have often wondered, "what if I don't do what He asks?  What if I ignore?  what if I don't lead like I should"....

As harsh as it sounds in my reading this morning I found my answer:


^24 At a lodging place on the way, the Lord met Moses^ and was about to kill him. (Ex 4:24., NIV).

I have the read the Old Testament in its entirety many times, but yet for some reason, I did not recall this verse.  Funny how that works sometimes. 

To fill in some blanks as to what is happening.  Moses has answered the call (finally) to go back to Egypt, he packs up his wife and children, and begins the journey back.  Then verse 24 happens they stop for the night, and God is like "if your going to lead there is still this one thing you haven't done".  Apparently, one of Moses' sons had yet to be circumcised (requirement of God for Hebrews); some think that it may have been his wife (Zipporah) had talked him out of it when the son was born but we really don't know.  All we do know is this:  God expects His leaders to be obedient, so much so that right here, right now God stops Moses from going any further and is going to take his life for lack of obedience.

Zipporah in verse 25, immediately takes a flint knife and does the deed.

^26 So the Lord let him alone. (Exodus 4:26)

So here is the thing:

Yes God expects a higher standard from His leaders; however we are privileged to see Him work more.

Moses still had his own personal issues after this, however boy did God work amazingly through Him.  The parting of the red sea, God providing manna, and water from the rock.

I know this blog may sound jumbled but I'm still working it out in me....

hope something helped or spoke to you...

Chris

small victories

So yesterday I decided I was going to continue to push forward on my quest to gain distance to my runs.  I didn't tell anyone but I had determined that I was going to add a mile to my run.  My last run was 5 miles, so I had the mindset I was going to hit 6.  Was a pretty afternoon, wasn't too hot, and there was a little breeze.  I set my pace and held it.  Mile 1 felt good, mile 2 just as good, mile 3 even better, mile 4 not too bad, mile 5 I felt good.... in fact I felt like Rocky Balboa, I felt like pumping my fist up in the air because I was going to do this.  The last mile felt like forever, and then finally in my ear I heard "6 miles....", I couldn't hold it in I did do the Rocky fist pump then.... I felt victorious!!

^10 “Who despises the day of small things? (Zechariah 4:10)

A small victory.  Many may read this above and think "ok whats the big deal".

If you think about it life is full of "small victories" more than "large victories"

•   you wake up for work on time
• all green lights down patton ave (lol)
• you finish your work load with a little time to spare
• your child reads with little to no help
• your child does well on a test
• your child does a chore without being asked
• you lose a pound or two
• you gain a mile to your run
• you shave 30 sec off a mile
• a young person's attitude completely changes towards you
• your child memorizes a bible verse
• your child volunteers to pray
• you overcome a fear of praying in public

don't despise or overlook the small victories, those are the ones that will keep you going.

your not always going to

• get the job you want
• see your fav team win
• make 100 on tests
• find a killer deal on a house or car
• win an all expense paid vacation
• finish in 1st place
• lead a person to saving knowledge of Jesus Christ

if you rely only on the larger victories you will find yourself being discouraged.

When victory or accomplishments happen celebrate them whether large or small.....

Have a great weekend, Chris