I woke up at 4:00 a.m. this Wednesday morning and started thinking about you, yes you. Smile! My thoughts led me to this beneficial meditation, whether it be new to you or just a matter of review. Read on!
I am sure you remember the old Asian saying, “To hear is to forget. To see is to remember. To do is to understand.” Well, this morning, much like the schoolteacher who you thought was being lazy, but later you realized that really, he/she was being sure real learning took place after you had to spend the entire class time working on a worksheet based on the content of some assigned pages in your textbook. The teacher was not being lazy, but it was all about learning, and on top of that he/she was leading others by directing them, partnering with them for success. As students, perhaps we did not immediately recognize that the assignment would develop our investigative, pursuit of knowledge skills, and also advance their learning skills. But that is what the teacher was doing. He/she did not leave us helpless but remained available to help us with our work.
Okay, enough rambling about our experiences as we progressed through the pedagogical phases of schooling at every phase of formal education, at all levels. However, my rambling was not meant to be pointless. Today, I am, as they say, “putting the ball in your court.” Applying the old Asian saying and the technique used by educators in the past, I have an assignment for you. (1) Read through the text below. (2) Take a piece of paper. (3) Make two columns, marking one column “Leader” and the other column “Followers.” (4) Depending on what you can detract from the reading, list three specific things under each column that should resonate, reverberate, and really apply to “Leaders” and “Followers.”
You don’t have to turn in any homework or show me that you completed your assignment. The fact that you did it will be revealed in your actions or your adjustments to your role as a leader in the church or as a follower in the church. Remember, “To do it to learn.”
The ball is in your court! Work on this today. Make the time, because making the time will make you and your church or even your organization in the secular world “better.” Love you! Have a great Thursday! Come away with some understanding that you can apply. Be blessed!
THE ASSIGNED READING (Exodus 18:13-27 NLT)
“The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people’s disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening. When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?” Moses replied, “Because the people come to me to get a ruling from God. When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God’s decrees and give them his instructions.” “This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him. Teach them God’s decrees and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives. But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you. If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.” Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and followed his suggestions. He chose capable men from all over Israel and appointed them as leaders over the people. He put them in charge of groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. These men were always available to solve the people’s common disputes. They brought the major cases to Moses, but they took care of the smaller matters themselves.”
Just in case you are not smiling, let me tell you again, “Be blessed!”
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King